Union with Christ Unites Us to One Another

Jesus knew He would be abandoned

On the night He was arrested, Jesus knew His disciples would abandon him and scatter. "Scatter" means that not only would they be separated from Him, but also from one another. Nor would this be a one-time event, but an ongoing tendency. Scattering is what sheep do. That very night, to prevent the scattering of his followers, Jesus did at least three things:

• He washed their feet, setting an example of humility and service;
• He prayed for them to be united, establishing both a path and a destination; and
• He established the Lord's Supper.

The Lord's Supper not only unites us to the Lord as we remember His death until He comes, but because we share in this symbolic meal, it also unites us to each other.

As Paul said, "Is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf" (1 Cor. 10:16-17).

Acts 20:7, the passage that suggests the first-century disciples were in a habit of weekly communion, says, "On the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread?"

In this verse, not only is the first day of the week and the breaking of bread an important pattern, but also the coming together. "On the first day of the week, the disciples CAME TOGETHER to break bread." The disciples were scattered throughout the region around Troas, and the Lord's Supper brought them together.

With an attitude of humility, with a willingness to serve, with a willingness to follow the Lord's path toward His destination, let us "come together" and share in the bread.

What Jesus Predicted Came True

Jesus knew what would happen and it did: all of his disciples deserted Him and scattered. Can we read the gospel accounts, witness how the disciples abandoned Jesus and yet, like Simon Peter, claim, "That's not what I would do! Even if everyone else deserts Him, I never will"?

No, if we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that we are just as weak as they were. When the pressure is on and the stakes are high, when we are called upon to take a stand for Jesus, how often do we turn and flee?

Instead of standing together, united with Him and with each other, how often do we abandon Him and in our shame, avoid each other?

The cup we share symbolizes the blood of Christ, God's provision for the forgiveness straying sheep like us need. Paul said, "Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ?" (1 Cor. 10:16).

Once more, in becoming one with Christ's death, we all converge on Christ Himself, and in doing so, we also draw closer to one another.

Here is a dynamic means of changing the world. Christ inspires us first to love Him and then to love each other; to unite with Him, which unites us with one another; to seek forgiveness from Him, and then to forgive and seek forgiveness from one another. The love we celebrate in the Supper is the love a bleeding, groaning world needs so badly.

Copyright © 2005 Steve Singleton, All rights reserved.

Steve Singleton has written and edited several books and numerous articles on subjects of interest to Bible students. He has taught Greek, Bible, and religious studies courses Bible college, university, and adult education programs. He has taught seminars and workshops in 11 states and the Caribbean.

Go to his DeeperStudy.com for Bible study resources, no matter what your level of expertise. Explore "The Shallows," plumb "The Depths," or use the well-organized "Study Links" for original sources in English translation. Sign up for Steve's free "DeeperStudy Newsletter."

---

The Use and Abuse of Mysticism in The Song of Songs

The incorporation of Aristotelian thought into the dogma of Catholicism... Read More

Tale of an Ark

The ark must have been much larger than the dimensions... Read More

Octopussy

The graven image exclusion as told in the Bible certainly... Read More

123 ABC Numbers in the Bible Simply Amazing

Underneath the Hebrew and Chaldee of the Old Testament and... Read More

Why Go To Church - Want To Know 13 Reasons?

It's not necessary to go to church in order to... Read More

Tom Cruise and John Travolta Prescribe to Scientology... Whats the Deal With That?

CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA: Anytime a well-known name gets involved with a... Read More

Spring Into Gods Love

Spring is springing here in the Pacific Northwest the plants... Read More

Development of Liberal Theology: An Overview (Part 2)

The American theologian Horace Bushnell also played a vital role... Read More

Jesus Was a Hippie

Actually he was more appropriately called a Cynic, but that... Read More

Reconstrictionism + Dominionism = Warfare Theology

The Christian Church believes that at the close of the... Read More

British B. S.

CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE: -MacDari was a Mason but his Masonry deplored... Read More

Islamic World Domination

The question is not whether terrorism is now a world-wide... Read More

Biblical Hermeneutics ? Part 2

Should we be tempted to believe that our system of... Read More

The 1000 Year Millennium Kingdom

After the last bowl judgment is thrown by God the... Read More

Believing

It is written in Proverbs 14:2 There is a way... Read More

Prayer Secret #1 - Your Relationship with God

This, in my opinion, is the #1 "secret" for getting... Read More

Resurrection Faith (Part 1)

At the heart of Christianity is a cross; and one... Read More

Me and My Big Mouth!

During World War II the government realized that the majority... Read More

Seeking after the Knowledge of God

As you will see in the Scripture verses I will... Read More

Can Jewish Americans Still Have Devout Catholic Friends?

America is dividing again. Jewish Americans are finding it hard... Read More

Like a Flood: What The Church does with Killers like Katrina

Isaiah 59:19 declares: "...when the enemy comes in like a... Read More

What Is True Egalitarianism?

Why did the founding fathers of the United States consider... Read More

Why do Humans Need a God?

Many have asked why people need a God to cope... Read More

Recognizing Apostasy and Deception

PREFACE TO UNDERSTANDING APOSTASY AND DECEPTIONIn the "last days" the... Read More

End-Times and the Other Bible

Can you imagine Biblical "End-Times" prophecies happening in your lifetime?... Read More

Have You Neglected This Righteous Cause Of God?

As believers, we have a responsibility to care for those... Read More

The Exodus

And the matter of who is doing the abusing is... Read More

The Story of Adam and Eve

To really understand how we all got here, what it... Read More

Meaning and Marketing - The Will

You are now inside one of the top theological schools... Read More

The Oldest Concept in History

I find it funny that one of the oldest concepts... Read More

White Sun - Tao of Heaven. Showers of Wisdom ( Part 1 of 3 )

'Showers of Wisdom' is taught by JiGong, the Heavenly teacher... Read More

Church Building and Church Buildings

Church building is a term used to designate both the... Read More

Philippians 2:1-18 -- Seek Unity Through Humility

This passage begins (2:1-4) with a call to unity that... Read More