Communion, the Cross, & the Kingdom
We don’t usually think about Communion as a spiritual discipline, and few think about the Lord’s Table as an essential antidote to political idolatry. But in today’s polarized world, where it's all too easy to fall into the traps of othering, aversion, and self-righteousness—viewing others as enemies, developing strong dislikes, and moralizing our own side while demonizing the other—the Communion table offers us a different vision of reality.
First, when we partake of Christ’s table, our vision is drawn back to his death on the cross. When Jesus was crucified, it seemed like a devastating defeat. But we know that his broken body and shed blood were how he was victorious over every enemy. He won by being defeated. By remembering the cross, the table shapes us into people who don't play by the political rules of the world. We don’t have to compromise our values or resort to fear-mongering and divisive tactics to win. Trusting in God’s sovereignty, the way Jesus did on the cross, allows us to engage in political and social issues with integrity and hope.
Second, the table doesn’t only look back to Jesus’ death. It also looks forward to the consummation of his kingdom—the great wedding feast of the Lamb depicted in Revelation 19 and which Jesus alluded to during the Last Supper with his disciples. The eschatological vision of the coming kingdom of God reminds us that while we strive for justice and goodness on earth, we don't have to resort to unjust means. Our efforts, even if they seem to fail by worldly standards, are not in vain. God's ultimate redemption ensures that our faithful work now will be vindicated and incorporated into his redemption of all things.
When you gather with other Christians this week, I hope you will come to the Communion table to remember the past as well as the future. Let Jesus’ victory through defeat on the cross put your own political anxieties in perspective, and allow the small foretaste of his coming kingdom to fill you with a hope that no political party, candidate, or cause ever could.
Resources
Holy Post Podcast Episode 603 - The Politics of Fear & Rethinking the Cross with Brian Zahnd
Prayer
Lift up our hearts, O Christ, above the false shows of things, above laziness and fear, above selfishness and covetousness, above whim and fashion, up to the everlasting Truth that you are; that we may live joyfully and freely, in the faith that you are our King and Savior, our Example and our Judge, and that, so long as we are loyal to you, all will ultimately be well.
Amen.
-Charles Kingsley