Communion, Part II

The doorpost is also symbolic. Many probably don't put much emphasis on the doorpost (and it may sound silly) but it does have meaning. During the Passover event, God told His people to slay a lamb and put the blood upon their doorposts. The doorpost is the main entrance to the dwelling just as our mouths are the entrance to our temples (our bodies). This is the reason why the blood of Jesus (the fruit of the vine) must be consumed by mouth. Seeing the blood upon the doorposts of the house meant that all that dwelt in the house and the whole structure of the house was protected. We are also protected by the blood which we consume as wine during communion. The whole of the body is protected by the physical act of ingesting the blood (wine). Of course, I am not saying that salvation comes strictly from consuming wine during communion, nullifying the blood that Christ shed on the cross. It is the blood on the cross that saves us. Communion is a ritual of remembrance and remembering His love and sacrifice; punished in our place.

Another symbol is the symbol of redemption. Just as the blood on the doorposts allowed the Israelite firstborn to live and be protected from punishment and death. So are we protected and allowed to live. A sacrifice or death of a spotless lamb brought about protection and life to the Israelites on that night of punishment. So it is for us. Death brings life just as Christ's death brings life. Shortly after the Israelites were protected by the blood, Pharoah let Moses and God's people go. Set free at last. We are also set free by the blood of Jesus Christ. Free from the law and free from sin and the punishment for our sins. Set free from the slavery of sin and the oppression of the devil.

The element of faith is also important to understand in this discussion concerning the Passover night. The Israelites had faith and did as they were instructed by placing the blood on their doorposts. Their faith in the blood and their obedience to what God instructed them to do is a symbol of their trust in God and His word. It was a promise and they were delivered by promise. Just as we are delivered by promise through faith in the saving power of the blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ). We also must be obedient to Christ and perform communion as He commanded us to do. We must remember Him and His sacrifice as the Israelites (under the old covenant) remembered their deliverance in the land of Egypt.

1 Corinthians 11:23
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,
1 Corinthians 11:24
and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."
1 Corinthians 11:25
In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."
1 Corinthians 11:26
For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.