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The Bread and Wine of Passover
Sermon by David C. GrabbeThe concept of 'One Bread' in the context of the Passover holds profound significance as a symbol of unity and fellowship with God and fellow believers. The bread of Passover symbolically joins us with Christ, the object of the sacrifice, making us one with Him. It also unites us with others who partake of it, as we become one through sharing and being filled with that one bread, which is Christ. The breaking of bread represents fellowship and friendship, signifying the sharing of the providence of heaven, and emphasizes the centrality of bread as a sustenance of life. When bread symbolizes Christ's body, it is overwhelmingly a representation of life, even eternal life, rather than death. Christ Himself describes it as the living bread, indicating that His flesh is living and sustains life. Partaking of the bread during Passover means taking in and being joined to His sinless life, allowing the living Savior to abide in us as we abide in Him. This act of eating the bread is about an ongoing relationship with Him, strengthening us spiritually as we partake of the sinless life of the Creator. The Passover bread, as a type of peace offering, reflects acceptance by God, where He shares a meal with us. It provides spiritual strength, refreshing and equipping us to carry out what He requires. Just as Christ was strengthened by the Passover feast to serve, even in humility, we too are fortified to fulfill His will. The bread of life imparts this spiritual vigor, sustaining us as we remain faithful, and ultimately pointing to the eternal life promised through our connection with Him.
What Does 'Discerning the Lord's Body' Mean? (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeIn Paul's instructions to the Corinthian church, the concept of 'One Bread' carries profound significance. He illustrates that there is only one Bread of Life, which is Christ, and everyone who partakes of that One Bread becomes a single spiritual body. When we individually partake of the cup of blessing and the bread at Passover, we become one with Jesus Christ. Moreover, since the whole church partakes of these symbols, everyone who does so also becomes one with Him. Thus, the Lord's body is a collective noun, composed of those whom the Father called and are now in fellowship with Christ through symbolically sharing in His blood and His body. Paul emphasizes that we become spiritually unified with whatever we partake of, underscoring the importance of this unity in our observance of Passover.
The Church, One Body
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod's call to learn from the ant does not teach us to yield to a hierarchical system, but to participate in a community with the goal of edification.
Was Jesus Christ's Body Broken? (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeChrist's body was not broken, and the bread of Passover, broken so it can be shared, is a symbol of being joined to His sinless life rather than death.
Passover: An Extraordinary Peace Offering
Sermon by David C. GrabbeThe Passover sacrifice is basically unconnected with atonement, but represents the peace and security which attends fellowship with God because of His acceptance.
Why Is Atonement a Fall Festival?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThough Passover and Atonement both deal with Christ's sacrifice, several reasons emerge to make Atonement a better fit for the fall holy days.