Generally, I reserve my controversial conversations for things other than politics; in ministry we have found "conservative" and "liberal" to be words that distract from truly important things.
But, today, I felt unrest as I watched Facebook fill with accounts of "taking a stand." As I thought about Christians (and conservatives) breaking bread (and chicken) together while the world looked on, it made me think of another, more important meal. This meal, also has the power to unite and divide. When Christians stand shoulder-to-shoulder and break this bread we are bonded together with Christ and set apart from those who do not believe in our Savior. It commemorates the story of our redemption...Communion.
I am fully behind free speech, and Biblical values, but the gnawing feeling in my gut makes me wonder if we've got the right meal on our minds today. Christians have been angry, reacting to harsh opposing words. Christ promised us opposition (as He experienced to the point of the cross), why then are we so shocked when it occurs in our lives? The hatred is not directed toward us, it is directed at Him, through us.
This means we can relax a little and not take things so personally. It gives us the opportunity to step back and see issues in light of the people involved, to brush aside the personal affront and respond in love. We are angry because we feel hurt; the other side is angry because they feel...hurt. Christ came to bring healing and we are His hands and feet. Standing in support of a company's opinion is not wrong, but is the stand being taken symbolized by a Chicken Sandwich or the bread and wine of communion? I guarantee people who don't share our views can feel the difference; we on the other hand (in our self-righteous rage) may not.
His blood was spilled for all of us. Does the LGBT community know that we break bread in remembrance of our collective need for salvation? Are the humble words of Christ ready on our lips, or is our mouth busy taking angry bites of a Chicken Sandwich?
The offense was to Christ, and He has already answered it with His body and blood. Are we being selective about who we bring to the table, or is it possible, do you think, to grab a person who believes differently than us and break tacos or burgers or even a Chicken Sandwich, in the hope that love is more life-changing than being right? Because, after all, Jesus did the same for us.
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew 26:26-28
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