[Dispensing of the loaf.]
You know, the more I study the Lord’s Supper, and the more I learn about First Century culture, the more amazed I am at how many symbols and images and ideas are packed into this simple ceremony.
Today, our classes studied Ray Vander Laan’s lesson on Jewish marriage practices. And I learned that when a First Century Jewish couple became engaged, the bride and the groom shared a cup of wine. The sharing symbolized a covenant. The groom promised that, if need be, he’d give his life for his bride. The bride promised to honor and be faithful to her husband.
At the same time, the groom’s family paid the bride-price to the bride’s family, and she was then known as one “bought with a price.” She belonged to her groom, even though the marriage itself may be far in the future.
When Jesus shared a cup of wine with his disciples shortly before he gave his life for them, they could not have missed the symbolism.
Just so, when we take this cup each week, we — the church — are the bride of Christ. And we are renewing our vows. Jesus is among us, you know. And he’s kept his end of the covenant. He’s paid the ultimate price.
We now renew our commitment, our covenant, to be true to Jesus, to be faithful, to honor him, to serve him, and to love him.
[Prayer for the cup]