Let's jump right in and look at some more reasons that make Communion awesome!
As New Testament believers we are no longer bound to the Law. I had always heard "The Law" mentioned in church growing up, but never really understood it until I got older and really educated myself on what it is and what it meant to Old Testament believers. Having an understanding of it also sheds light on the wonderful sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I think of the laws of the Old Testament being broken down into two categories. Nowhere in the Bible does it do this, but it is just my way of making sense of them.
The moral law is just that, laws based on what our actions for living should and should not be. The Law was full of such ordinances. There are similarities to the Old Testament moral laws and the rules Jesus Christ laid out for us. These rules are meant for our own good. I have heard people say they do not want to come to Christ because of all the rules and regulations. God takes all the fun of life away. Interestingly enough when I really got serious about my faith walk I felt tremendous freedom. There were rules in the Old Testament also that were meant for the people's welfare. The best example of Old Testament moral laws are the Ten Commandments. The moral law is meant to highlight the depravity of the fallen man and does not point people to the forgiveness that is in Jesus Christ. We are no longer under the Law, but there is still a moral code we are to follow according to the principles of the Bible. Are we bound by the Ten Commandments since that is an Old Testament law? Great question. I will never pretend to know all the answers. I believe the principles contained in the Ten Commandments are also touched on in the New Testament, therefore, it is wise to follow the Ten Commandments. I believe the Ten Commandments are binding now.
2 Timothy 3:16-17) All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.
Romans 6:15) What, then? Shall we sin, because we are not under Law but under God's grace? By no means!
Ceremonial laws touch on the rules of sacrifices and ceremonies. There are instructions for the 'unclean' and how to become clean. We talked a lot about animal sacrifice yesterday. These rules were included in the ceremonial laws. I quoted a verse yesterday about how the priest could enter into the Most Holy Place. This would be a ceremonial law. There were instructions on what animals you could and could not eat and what one had to do to be able to approach God. There were rules used to separate Israelites from the pagans (Gentiles). A Jew could not wear clothes made of linen mixed with wool. Circumcision and rules of the Sabbath were ceremonial laws. Even today there are differing opinions on portions of the law and if they should still be observed. For example, some think there is still a Sabbath and others do not. To me, if keeping the Sabbath means your able to love God and others in a deeper and more meaningful manner then by all means do it. Unfortunately, Sunday has become just another day of the week and people do not really take a rest day. We all need rest days. Days that we unplug and really focus on the Lord. I'm getting off topic. Surprise, right?!
Galatians 3:23-25) But before the time for faith came, the Law kept us all locked up as prisoners until this coming faith should be revealed. And so the Law was in charge of us until Christ came, in order that we might then be put right with God through faith. Now that the time for faith is here, the Law is no longer in charge of us.
Now that I think about it, there were also laws directed at civility. I think of these as the traffic-type laws of our time. Okay, so maybe there are three categories! Maybe I'll call this section the law laws! These laws represent the civil code. Included in this section would be laws on what happens to people caught in adultery or those who murder. These laws were for regulating the Nation of Israel. For example, those guilty of sexual sin were stoned. Life in the Old Testament was brutal!
Romans 6:14) Sin must not be your master; for you do not live under law but under God's grace.
I am by no means a Biblical scholar and I certainly do not have all the answers. My intention of categorizing different parts of the Old Testament Law is for you (and me) to see how complicated life was in the Old Testament. Life revolved around the keeping of these laws. We have all heard the term 'legalism.' Being legalistic involves emphasizing a system of rules and regulations and believing that strict adherence to the rules and regulations provides both salvation and spiritual growth. Legalism is a great detriment to Christianity. We are to be truthful and graceful just as Jesus was. The covenant of the blood has provided tremendous freedom from all the rules and regulations of the Old Covenant. So the next time we take Communion let's take a minute to thank God for FREEDOM in Christ!
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