1 Corinthians 11:23-26
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
During the month of February we are intently focusing on a study known as Liberation Theology. Liberation Theology is a Christian theological approach emphasizing the liberation of the oppressed. It engages socio-economic analyses, with "social concern for the poor and political liberation for oppressed peoples", it also addresses other forms of inequality, such as race or caste. Basically, it argues we ought to treat everybody right.
The biblical basis for our discussion is rooted in the words of Isaiah, quoted by Jesus in his first recorded public address. “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound” Isaiah 61:1
We know Jesus came to bring salvation, redemption, sanctification and holiness; and all these lead to setting our souls free. Jesus declares in John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. But please note the emphasis the Lord places on liberty. In the administration of freedom, liberty looms large.
Often we think of them as the same, but they’re different. Liberty is differentiated from freedom by using the word "freedom" primarily, if not exclusively, to mean the ability to do as one wills and what one has the power to do; and using the word "liberty" to mean the absence of arbitrary restraints, taking into account the rights of all involved.
I would argue this morning that Communion is as much about liberty and liberation as it is about our freedom to worship Christ. I dare say you cannot separate the two and still represent the life, love and legacy of Jesus. He preached liberation. He lived liberation. He is liberation. And he’s serious about it. Look at the words of Paul at 1 Corinthians 11:20-22
“When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.”
Please understand what just happened here. Paul is addressing the ill treatment of Christians toward other Christians during communion. The abusive treatment is bad enough, but these folk used the sacred rites of communion to exercise their bias deeds. Paul was livid. And so was the Lord. Check out this verse: For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep (dead). 1Cor.11.29-30. You can’t get more serious than that can you?
That verse reminded me of the quote attributed to American politician Patrick Henry from a speech he made in 1775 at St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia. “Give me liberty, or give me death!" Historians say his speech changed the tide of the skirmish and eventually helped win the war. We need that same resolve today! It’s inclusion or else! It’s liberty in Christ Jesus. Without it we live in death.
Dear Child of the King, God is so serious about you and me, and our liberation, that He defends our right to be included in every aspect of righteous living to the death. No one, and nothing can separate us from the love of God through Christ Jesus. And they’d better not try!
God Bless
