The Miracle Table: REDISCOVERING THE POWER OF COMMUNION

by Andrew Murray

The Old Covenant, represented by the Tabernacle of Moses contained just ceremonial food (perhaps speaking of the bread that was placed on the altar in the Holy Place). Overtime this bread, which the Old Testament refers to as “the bread of the Presence” (Exodus 25:30) had become just an empty religious emblem. Hebrews tells us that just eating this bread as an emblem, as part of a religious ceremony has “no benefit” for those who eat of it. But then the writer contrasts this bread with the bread of the New Covenant - an altar from which those before Christ could not eat of - but we can. The writer is indicating that the bread that we eat is not just ceremonial, not just an emblem, but something that is of benefit to us as we partake. The challenge is that if we only see the Bread and Wine as tokens, we can eat and drink, and it may be nice, but it doesn’t actually do us any good. But if we see that the Bread and Wine are so much more than that, eating and drinking it becomes of great benefit to us. It is as we eat and drink of the bread and wine of the New Covenant that our “hearts are strengthened by grace.” This is powerful! As we come to the Lord’s Table we are not just partaking of religious symbols but we are feeding on grace itself! We are being nourished, sustained and empowered by grace! Hebrews says that this is good for our hearts! The word “good” here can also be translated “beautiful” - it is a beautiful thing to be strengthened by grace which comes thr...