There are two paintings entitled Supper at Emmaus. One, by Caravaggio (1601), hangs in the National Gallery in London, and the other, a Rembrandt (1648), commands a prominent place in the Louvre. Rembrandt had never seen any painting by Caravaggio. However, both capture the shock of the disciples who suddenly recognize they are with the resurrected Jesus.
A holy Christian sacrament, Communion, is a SHARING of consecrated elements that present a picture of the Divine exchange of Christian faith. I like to think of it as COME UNION – an invitation to celebrate unity and shared purpose in the Body of Christ. In actuality, the buzz surrounding this sacred act has sometimes been more divisive than unifying. Common cup or separate elements, wine, or grape juice? Is it administered only by a priest or minister, or a ritual encompassed in the priesthood of the believer, available to anyone of the faith? It should be woven into church life, a time to remember Jesus’ sacrifice for our salvation.
As described in the paintings, two of Jesus’ disciples met Him on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) after His crucifixion. Thinking Him dead, they didn’t recognize Him. Only when they reclined to eat with “the stranger,” in the breaking of bread, was His identity revealed to their hearts. As we break the bread of communion, may God open our eyes to the reality of Jesus. May we partake in this supernatural event designed to help us remember and celebrate who He is and the salvation He offers through our New Covenant in His blood. The paintings of this event are worth millions. No price can be assigned to His sacrifice for us. May we continue, as His body, to become ONE so the world will be drawn to Him.
– Nan Robertson
Christ Fellowship
