The Lord’s Table contains several well-known symbols. We all know the bread and the cup symbolize the body and blood of Christ, broken and poured out for us. But these are not the only symbols at the table. In 1 Corinthians 10:17, the Apostle Paul tells us the table also stands for the unity of the church.
17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
When we distribute the bread, it has already been cut into smaller pieces, but don’t let these little pieces mislead you. We are not atomized fragments like these pieces of bread in the plate. They were all united into one loaf and in the same way we are all united in Christ. We are unified. We are one. And the fact of our unity rests on the fact of Christ’s unity. He is one. He isn’t divided—and we are in him.
While we may find ourselves at odds with a brother or sister in Christ on earth, we are already one with them in the heavenlies, where Christ is seated. Though the visible church may identify under various denominational structures on earth, the invisible church in heaven and on earth is one. Jesus Christ didn’t die for Baptists or Presbyterians. His body was broken apart so that his people could be put together.
If you belong to Christ by faith, then this bread tells you your sins are forgiven—and your sins are just as forgiven as the brother or sister in Christ who has offended you. So, begin putting away earthly division, pride, and bitterness so that you can taste and enjoy the unity of Christ.
So come, and welcome to Jesus Christ.