The ‘Hovis’ advert on the TV is an interesting one, as it shows a young boy going to the shop to buy a loaf of bread. On his journey back home the streets he passes through are scenes from 100 years of our nations and the bakeries history.
In John’s Gospel Chapter 6 the Jews ask Jesus for a sign like the one God gave Moses the ‘Manna’ that sustained their ancestors on their wilderness journey. This took place 1400 years before Christ. In response Jesus said to them, “ Their fathers ate manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die.” John 6: 49, 50.
The Jews were outraged at Jesus suggestion that he was the bread of life, coming from God. He went on to say, ‘unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood you shall not have life within you.’ Even some of his own disciples were upset by Jesus saying this and they ceased to follow him.
For Jesus to suggest that they should eat his flesh and drink his blood was against the laws relating to food.
Under Law they were not allowed to eat shell fish, pork and other foods that would make them unclean. No meat could be eaten without first draining the blood from it, because life is in the blood. The blood removed from the meat made the food spiritually sinless and clean. Food was spiritually part of them. Leviticus 11: 1-end 17: 11
What the Jewish people did not understand was that to enter into the New Covenant, the Old Covenant had to come to an end. Jeremiah 31: 31-36
Jesus’ body, his flesh would be the final sacrifice ending the laws relating to food. Mark 7: 19.
When Jesus said ‘unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood’ he was referring to them partaking of his death and resurrection, his sacrifice, the final sacrifice.
The Messiah’s Secret page 93
“At the last supper Jesus introduced the New Covenant through his body and his blood, his life laid down for the final atonement, for sins against a Holy God. When a Jewish person made a sacrificial offering for sin, an offering of an animal, fowl, or meal, was brought to the temple, were the person would place their hand on to the head of the animal to be sacrificed, their sin was transferred by prayer into the sacrifice; its blood was then sprinkled upon the altar to make atonement, a covering for sin. This was repeated time and time again. Leviticus 1: 4. 3: 2
This offering would be accepted to make atonement, reconciliation, and pardon. This meaning of the word atonement is ‘to cover.’ The transfer of guilt to the sacrifice, brought forgiveness to the offender. The sacrifice was regarded as a person’s substitute for breaking the laws of Moses.”
Today, when we turn to Jesus in repentance saying sorry to him for our sins against God. Jesus becomes our substitute taking our sin upon him on the cross, so releasing us into the freedom of God’s forgiveness through his resurrection.
On the night of the Passover Jesus introduced the New Covenant.
The Bread
The bread is representing Jesus’ body.
Luke 22: 19 ‘Jesus took the bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
The Chalice
The Chalice holds the wine representing the blood of Jesus, the blood of the new covenant.
Matthew 26: 27 ”Jesus gave thanks and said,’ Drink this all of you for this is my blood of the New Covenant which is poured out for the forgiveness of sins.’ ”
New Covenant”
It is the Spirit that gives life, the flesh is no avail; (profits nothing) the words that I have spoken to you are Spirit and life.” John 6: 63.
Signifying a change from being under law to grace which means undeserved giving from God.
John the Apostle in his first letter described Jesus as the word of God covered in flesh.
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life. The life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest to us, that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with the Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1: 1-3
We are nourished and sustained by Jesus’ words becoming to us spiritual food.
The word, the ‘Bread of Life’ Jesus said “I am the bread of life.’
Christ in You
At Antioch the followers of Jesus were given the name of Christians meaning ‘Christ-like’ people.
St. Paul wrote in his letter to the Colossians, “The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now made manifest to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1: 26, 27.
Paul knew personally the meaning of ‘Christ in You’. In his encounter with the Proconsul Sergius Paulus and the Jewish false prophet Bar-Jesus also known as Elymas the sorcerer.
On the first ministry tour Barnabas and Saul arrived at Cyprus. They proceeded to travel around the island preaching the Good News about Jesus. At Paphos they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet Bar-Jesus. He was with the Roman Proconsul Sergius Paulus, who was regarded as an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Paul because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Bar-Jesus or Elymas (which means sorcerer) withstood them, seeking to turn Sergius away from hearing their message. Paul said these words to Elymas, “And now the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind and unable to see the sun for a time. Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand.” Acts 13: 11.
This is what happened to Paul on the Damascus road after he saw the vision of Jesus and heard the Lord’s words to him. When he arose from the ground he could see nothing; so the soldiers led him by the hand and took him to Damascus.
In that situation with Elymas coming against the Christian message, Paul saw himself in those early days were he came against the disciples and followers their message about Jesus. Now through Jesus Christ being in him, he imitated Jesus.
The words Paul used, he put the hand of the Lord upon Elymas, 1400 years before Moses had used those same words when he approached Pharaoh asking him to let the people of Israel go and he refused. The animals of the Egyptians were hit by a plague but the animals belonging to the Israelites were not touched by the plague. Pharaoh was seen as an rival of God.
Paul saw Elymas as an opponent of God when he tried to turn Sergius Paulus away from hearing their message about Jesus. In Paul’s words he was making the path of the Lord crooked. I do not believe that God penalized Elymas, just as in other instances were blindness was used by God to show the works of God. John 9: 3
Paul was seen as an opponent of God when he rounded up the Christians and put them in prison and when he was consenting to the stoning of Stephen. Steven forgave him and all those involved in his death. Acts 8: 3. 7: 60
Paul was visited by Ananias who prayed for him: to receive his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
From reading the Acts and letters we do not know if Elymas became a Christian.
In the next chapter of Acts Paul and Barnabas were witnessing to the crowd at Listra where we read a crippled man was healed. Acts 13: 8-20
Paul and Barnabas were applying the Christ-like ministry giving the bread of life to the people listening to their message about Jesus. One man in particular caught the eye of Paul. He saw that this crippled man had faith to be healed. Perhaps Paul saw in his mind this man standing and walking.
From the perspective of the man who received healing, he had accepted the good news about Jesus. This meant that he was entitled to all the blessings of the risen Christ.
Jesus’ body had not been corrupted by all the sickness and disease that he bore on the cross, ‘the uncorrupted bread of his risen body.
Matthew realised the significance of what Jesus did for us on the cross, in his death and resurrection. Jesus has redeemed us from the causes of sickness and disease and through faith in him healing and wholeness comes as the application of the word that is acted upon by the Holy Spirit.
"That evening they brought to Jesus many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.” Matthew 8: 16, 17. Isaiah 53: 4
Paul shouted to man, “Stand upright on your feet.” and the man sprang up and he was healed.
2,000 years ago the Holy Spirit acted upon the word spoken by Paul about Jesus that bringing healing to the crippled man.
In 1978 I was healed as the Holy Spirit acted upon the words spoken by Harold Oldham Minister of Winton Baptist Church about Jesus, followed by prayer and the laying on of hands.
“Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday and for ever.” Hebrews 13: 8
The Messiah’s Secret page 148 The Ministry of the Holy Spirit after Pentecost.
“If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make their home with him.” The apostles and followers were the first fruits of Jesus’ resurrection having received from Jesus the Holy Spirit. The combination of Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit made those who believe ‘Christ-like,’ Christ in you this was the mystery that Paul spoke of in his letters through faith in Jesus; God has made those of faith sons and daughters, children of the living God.
Jesus said to his disciples,” Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will do greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father. What ever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you ask anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14: 12, 13, 23.
Love, joy and peace are the nature of Jesus Christ. We are called to abide in his love that his joy and peace may be in us. The promises that are made by Jesus are part of the divine nature of God. A Christian empowered by the Holy Spirit manifests the life of Christ in the world. The graciousness of Jesus, abundant kindness, patience, humility, gentleness, longsuffering and faithfulness.”
