Pocket Devotions Day 1170: A Vertical and Horizontal Relationship 1 Corinthians 10:17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf. Thoughts for Today: In our present culture, when we share a meal it is typically a warm and personal experience. We sit in chairs around a table, with our own plates, knives and forks, and say, Please pass the salad, or, Have some more meat. However, to the people of Pauls day, sharing a meal was much more intimate. They would eat reclined around a low table, sharing pieces of bread torn from a common loaf which they dipped in a dish filled with a stew-like mixture. Because they were eating the same bread and the same meat, they felt uniquely connected and bonded. When we as Christians come together to share in the Lords Supper, there is also a unique bonding -- a oneness -- as we share in the body and blood of Christs sacrifice. The one loaf represents the living body of Jesus. We, who are many, are one body is the church, and constitutes our inclusion (individually and collectively) as His physical and spiritual body while we are on the earth. So we can look at this as both a vertical and horizontal relationship. Vertical -- between Jesus and ourselves as the church; and horizontal -- among other members of the church. I think Paul also is saying, because of our oneness, we cant allow for any other bond. Questions to Ponder: Do you feel more connected with other Christians (the church) or your friends and neighbors? The answer to that question is the central point of our passage today. Are we both vertically connected to Christ and horizontally bonded to other Christians? In which relationships do you find the most intimacy? What is Pauls instruction? Your Daily Impact The League offers several printed resources other than Gospels of John. These include booklets that explain the gospel for children, and our powerful reference guides. Learn more in the Resources section of our web site.
Posted on: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 19:40:18 +0000
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