Eat and Drink

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF MARK

EAT AND DRINK

Mark 14:22-26

22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body."  23 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them. 25 "I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God."  26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

NIV

This is a passage which is repeated or quoted many times a year within many Christian churches all over the world yet it never gets old or becomes meaningless,  or perhaps we quote what Paul wrote instead to the Corinthians. We engage in a sort of last supper with Jesus every time we share what we call the communion elements. Some believe the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Jesus, some use wafers, some use unleavened bread, some use little cracker like chips, some use normal store bought bread, some use grape juice,  others use real wine, but all of them consider it a privilege to partake in memory, or remembrance of what Jesus did. Some pass the elements around to the people, some have tables for people to come and take their elements back to their sits, others use a few deacons or priests to give each person their share to take immediately but they all believe they are sharing the experience together. But a truth within this passage which may be overlooked by the event of communion is what Jesus said in conclusion. He told them and us the truth, that he would not drink wine again until that day when he drinks is anew in the Kingdom of God. The fruit of the vine, is indeed wine, and if Jesus will drink it anew in the Kingdom of God then it only makes sense that we too shall drink this fruit of the vine when we arrive in the kingdom of God. It is true we are already living in the kingdom of God here on earth, but what Jesus was referring to was the heavenly kingdom of God, the place where the Father is. It is not clear why some Christians make such a fuss about not drinking wine while we are here on earth, when we will all drink it when we get to heaven, or at least when we live in the new city of Jerusalem on the new earth. Still the real truth which lies within is the reassurance Jesus will be once again in the presence of the Father and that if he is we will be also. He is assuring us there is life after death. This is what we should remember every time we eat of the bread and drink of the wine.