Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Holy Communion: Healing of  Body and Soul

Exodus: 16:11-18
 

  In the book of  Exodus, we read that under Moses' leadership Israelites got out of Egypt. He faced many hardships as he was leading the people through the desert. The Israelites started grumbling, complaining, murmuring, and quarreling because they feared that they would die of thirst and starvation. The root cause of the fear was unbelief as they did not believe in God or trust in His deliverance.

           In the reading portion, we see that God promised to meet their need for food in the desert with Manna. God wanted to test their obedience and see if they would obey His instruction. Manna appeared on the ground each day as thin flakes like frosts. People gathered it, ground it like grain, and made it into honey-tasting pancakes. For Israelites, Manna was a gift that came every day and was just what they needed. It satisfied their temporary physical need. Throughout their journey through the desert to the promised land, the Lord provided Manna, with the bread of heaven. 

          The provision of Manna from heaven by God to his people is clearly a foreshadowing of the Holy communion. The bread used during the holy communion signifies the body of Jesus, which was broken for us. He took on all sin, iniquity, rebellion, disease, grief, and shame. The wine represents His blood, which was shed to establish a new covenant. It brought the forgiveness of sins and sets us apart in holiness. It is Jesus' flesh that gives life through the Holy Spirit  (John6:33-35) . The new Manna, the Holy Communion, is our food for the journey towards heaven. Manna provided bodily nourishment for Israelites and they all died after some years. Whereas, Holy communion provides spiritual nourishment and leads to Eternal life (John 6: 41-51). Holy communion the Body and Blood of Jesus is the supernatural food given for supernatural life. God has infinite supplies of grace in Christ to meet all our needs. Manna points to Jesus Christ the true bread of life that comes down out of heaven to satisfy our souls. Daily make an effort to hold on to Christ the bread of our soul and daily feed on Jesus ( 1Pet 2:2-3).

           Like Israelites, today the church can be afflicted with unbelief, become discouraged with troubles, and become resistant in the journey of faith. Do not grumble as some of them did and were killed (1Cor 10:10) . Through communion the Lord speaks to our heart and ministers to our needs and sustains us during our journey with Christ. ( Deut 8:3) .

           Jesus Christ implemented the Holy communion and told his disciples to remember the finished work accomplished by Him for our deliverance from sin and all its evil consequences (Math 26:26-28) . We are called to believe and partake in it as His broken body took our infirmities and carried away our diseases and His Blood has the power to break every sin and its curse. The Body and Blood of Jesus have overcome and have brought victory over sin and its curse.
The Bible says by His stripes, we are healed. Isaiah 53:5, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he has crushed for our iniquities: the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds, we are healed."
1 Peter 2:24, “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds, you are healed. ”

            Holy Communion is a prescription for healing, provided we approach it with reverence, repenting about our sinful nature and seeking forgiveness. Holy communion heals physically, emotionally, and spiritually and it is a deep communion with the greatest Physician, Provider, and Deliverer Lord Jesus Christ. God has done a divine transplant, He has promised us a new heart. A compassionate good heart of flesh to replace the stone-hard and wicked heart of sinful man. (Rom 11:16-18).

          Hence we should continue to participate in Holy communion. Every incurable disease will disappear, joy will replace sorrow, the light will dispel darkness, and death will give away to life. Having a close relationship with Christ will bring all-around victory. Jesus is inviting all of us (John7:37-39) to be renewed and refreshed in body, soul, and spirit. 

Prayer
Thank you Jesus for loving us and dying on the cross for our salvation. Lord Jesus please come into our hearts, cleanse and forgive us. Comfort us, heal us, Empower us, change us, guide us and direct us. Come in and fill us with your spirit of love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control 

 Thought for the Day
Holy Communion is not a ritual to be observed but a blessing to be received. You celebrate and partake in the inheritance of righteousness which is preservation, healing, wholeness, and provision.


 Silvy Jose  , Staten Island Marthoma church

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