Embracing Vulnerability: The True Meaning of Communion
Summary
In a world obsessed with branding and image, it’s striking to consider the symbol Jesus chose to represent himself and his followers: not a logo of power or victory, but simple bread and wine, signifying his broken body and shed blood. While brands like Nike and Apple tap into our aspirations for victory and creativity, Jesus invites us to remember him at his weakest, in the act of sacrificial love. This choice is not just counterintuitive—it’s scandalous. Yet, for two thousand years, this act of communion has been at the heart of Christian worship, inviting us to a table where we are not consumers, but beloved guests.
Food is more than sustenance; it’s culture, identity, and, as Scripture shows, deeply spiritual. From the first act of disobedience in Eden—eating what was forbidden out of a false sense of lack—humanity has been marked by a hunger that nothing in this world can satisfy. We try to fill the void with possessions, power, pleasure, and even people, but the emptiness persists. Jesus confronts this endless cycle by offering himself as the true bread of life. He insists that only by receiving him—his life, his death, his resurrection—can we be truly filled.
This invitation is not just for the obviously broken or wounded, but for all of us who, in honest moments, recognize our own emptiness and need. The story of a woman who suffered unimaginable trauma and asked, “What does the church have to say to someone like me?” is a reminder that the gospel is for the wounded, the weary, and the worn out. Jesus’ answer is direct: “This is my body, broken for you. This is my blood, shed for you.” He does not ask us to hide our scars or pretend to be whole; instead, he invites us to share our wounds with him, that he might share his healing with us.
Communion is not a mere ritual or a distant memory of what God did long ago. It is a present invitation to encounter the living Christ, to receive his life in exchange for our emptiness, to be filled, healed, and made whole. God is the host who welcomes us as we are, who goes to unimaginable lengths to make us feel at home at his table. The only requirement is to come hungry, to come honest, and to receive what only he can give: true life.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus’ choice of bread and wine as the central symbol of faith is a radical departure from the world’s obsession with power, victory, and image. Instead of building a brand on strength, he invites us to remember him in vulnerability and sacrificial love. This challenges us to rethink what it means to follow him—not as consumers seeking benefits, but as participants in his self-giving life. [24:27]
- The hunger that drives humanity is not merely physical, but spiritual—a longing for identity, belonging, and fulfillment that cannot be satisfied by anything apart from God. The tragedy of Eden is that we believed we lacked what we already had in God, and in seeking fulfillment elsewhere, we became perpetually empty. Our attempts to fill this void with lesser things only deepen our hunger and our wounds. [30:20]
- Jesus confronts our consumer mentality by offering himself as the only true source of life. He refuses to be used as a means to an end, insisting that real life is found not in what he gives, but in who he is. Even for seasoned believers, it is easy to drift into spiritual busyness and anxious striving, forgetting that only Christ can truly satisfy our deepest needs. [34:16]
- The reality of spiritual death is often masked by outward appearances and coping mechanisms, but Jesus’ death exposes the seriousness of our condition. He does not minimize our wounds or ask us to “learn to live with it”; instead, he enters into our brokenness, offering his own life in exchange for ours. The cross is God’s answer to the question, “What does Christianity have to say to someone like me?”—it says, “You are seen, you are loved, and your healing matters.” [41:07]
- Communion is an ongoing invitation to share our wounds with Christ and receive his healing, to exchange our emptiness for his fullness. God is not a distant host, but one who welcomes us as we are, who washes our feet and gives up everything to make us at home. The table is open to all who are hungry, weary, or wounded—come, eat, and be satisfied with the life that only Jesus can give. [49:14]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - The Power of Branding
[03:10] - Imagining a “Jesus Brand”
[06:00] - Bread, Wine, and the Scandal of Communion
[09:00] - The Sacrament: Outward Sign, Inner Reality
[12:00] - Why Communion Shouldn’t Have Worked
[14:00] - The Offense of Jesus’ Teaching
[16:00] - Food, Identity, and Spiritual Hunger
[19:00] - The Lie of Lack and the Cycle of Consumption
[22:00] - The Emptiness of Consumerism
[25:00] - Jesus, the Bread of Life
[28:00] - The Bread of Anxious Toil
[31:00] - The Necessity of Jesus’ Death
[34:00] - What Does Christianity Say to the Wounded?
[37:00] - The Life is in the Blood
[40:00] - Communion: Invitation to Share and Be Healed
[43:00] - Receiving the Invitation
[46:00] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Communion – The Table of True Life
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### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
> For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
2. John 6:53-58
> Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”
3. Genesis 3:1-7
> (The story of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit, believing the lie that they lacked something God had already given.)
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### Observation Questions
1. What did Jesus use as the central symbols for remembering him, and what did he say about them during the Last Supper? (1 Corinthians 11:23-26; [26:19])
2. In John 6, what was the crowd’s reaction when Jesus told them they needed to eat his flesh and drink his blood? ([28:13])
3. According to Genesis 3, what lie did the serpent tell Adam and Eve about what they lacked? ([30:20])
4. In the sermon, what are some examples of things people try to use to fill their emptiness, and what does Jesus offer instead? ([32:03])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose bread and wine—symbols of weakness and sacrifice—instead of something that represented power or victory? What does this say about the kind of relationship he wants with his followers? ([24:27])
2. The sermon says that humanity’s hunger is not just physical, but spiritual—a longing for identity, belonging, and fulfillment. How does the story of Adam and Eve show this deeper hunger? ([30:20])
3. When Jesus says, “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you,” what is he really inviting people to do? ([34:16])
4. The woman in the sermon asked, “What does the church have to say to someone like me?” How does Jesus’ answer—“This is my body, broken for you”—speak to people who feel wounded or unworthy? ([41:07])
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### Application Questions
1. The world often celebrates strength, success, and image. Jesus invites us to remember him in his vulnerability and sacrificial love. In what ways do you feel pressure to “brand” yourself or hide your weaknesses? How might embracing Jesus’ way change how you relate to others? ([24:27])
2. The sermon talks about trying to fill our emptiness with possessions, power, pleasure, or even people. What are some things you turn to when you feel empty or restless? How do these compare to what Jesus offers? ([32:03])
3. Jesus’ invitation to the table is for those who are hungry, weary, or wounded. Is it hard for you to come to God “as you are”? What holds you back from being honest about your needs or wounds? ([49:14])
4. The story of the woman who suffered deep trauma reminds us that everyone has wounds, even if they’re hidden. Are there wounds or scars in your life that you try to hide? What would it look like to bring them to Jesus and let him share his healing with you? ([41:07])
5. The sermon describes “the bread of anxious toil”—living in a cycle of busyness and striving. Do you relate to this? What is one practical step you could take this week to rest in Jesus instead of striving to fill yourself? ([35:59])
6. Communion is not just a ritual, but a present invitation to receive Jesus’ life in exchange for our emptiness. How can you approach communion differently next time, making it a real encounter with Christ? ([45:32])
7. God is described as a host who welcomes us as we are, even washing our feet and giving up everything to make us feel at home. How can you reflect this kind of hospitality and grace to others in your life this week? ([47:57])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray Isaiah 55:1-3 together, asking God to help them come honestly, receive his life, and be truly satisfied in him.
Devotional
Day 1: Communion: The Outward Sign of an Inner Reality
Communion is not just a ritual but a profound spiritual practice where we remember and proclaim Jesus’ sacrificial love, gathering around the table to receive the life He offers through His broken body and shed blood. When we participate in communion, we are invited to move beyond mere symbolism and enter into a living encounter with Christ, who chose the humble elements of bread and wine to represent the fullness of His love and the new covenant He established for us. This act, repeated for two millennia, is a central expression of Christian worship, reminding us that our faith is rooted not in power or spectacle, but in the self-giving love of Jesus who meets us in our weakness and need. [26:19]
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (ESV)
"For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes."
Reflection: When you next take communion, how might you approach the table differently if you truly believed Jesus is inviting you to receive His life and love in that moment?
Day 2: The Hunger That Cannot Be Filled Apart from God
Humanity’s deepest hunger is not for food or possessions, but for the life and identity that can only be found in relationship with God; when we seek fulfillment elsewhere, we remain empty no matter how much we consume. From the very beginning, as seen in the story of Adam and Eve, we have been tempted to believe that we lack something essential and must grasp for it outside of God’s provision, only to find ourselves more dissatisfied and spiritually hungry. This hunger drives us to consume endlessly—whether it’s things, experiences, or even other people—yet nothing truly satisfies except the life Jesus offers, the bread that fills our souls and ends our striving. [32:03]
John 6:53-56 (ESV)
"So Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.'"
Reflection: What are you tempted to “consume” in your life to fill your emptiness, and how can you intentionally turn to Jesus today as the true bread that satisfies?
Day 3: The Bread of Anxious Toil vs. the Bread of Life
Many of us exhaust ourselves striving to meet expectations and fill our lives with activity, yet Jesus invites us to stop feeding on the “bread of anxious toil” and instead receive His rest and sufficiency. The world tells us to work harder and do more, but God gently reminds us that our deepest needs are met not by our own efforts, but by coming to Him and trusting in His provision. When we are weary and burdened, Jesus stands before us as the living bread, offering us rest, peace, and the assurance that He is what we truly need. [35:59]
Psalm 127:2 (ESV)
"It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep."
Reflection: In what ways are you striving or “eating the bread of anxious toil” in your daily life, and how can you accept Jesus’ invitation to rest in Him today?
Day 4: The Life Is in the Blood: Jesus’ Sacrifice for Our Healing
Jesus’ offering of His body and blood is the ultimate act of love, declaring that our wounds, brokenness, and spiritual death are not the end—He has given His life so that we might be healed and truly live. In the ancient world, blood symbolized life itself, and Jesus, as the true Passover Lamb, poured out His own blood to bring us under God’s protection and into a new covenant of grace. No matter how deep our wounds or how unworthy we feel, Jesus’ sacrifice assures us that we are invited, accepted, and made whole at His table, where His life becomes ours. [44:13]
Leviticus 17:11 (ESV)
"For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life."
Reflection: What wounds or feelings of unworthiness do you carry that keep you from fully accepting Jesus’ invitation to His table, and how might you bring them honestly to Him today?
Day 5: Come, Be Satisfied: God’s Gracious Invitation
God’s invitation is for all who are weary, hungry, and thirsty—He calls us to come without cost, to receive what truly satisfies, and to share in His life and healing through communion with Him. We are not asked to clean ourselves up or earn our place; instead, God welcomes us as we are, offering mercy, pardon, and the richest spiritual fare for our souls. When we accept His invitation, we find that our deepest longings are met, our hunger is filled, and we are renewed by His presence and love. [50:44]
Isaiah 55:1-3, 6-7 (ESV)
"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live... Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."
Reflection: What would it look like for you to accept God’s invitation to “come and eat” today—what step can you take to receive His grace and satisfaction in a tangible way?
Quotes
Maybe that resonates with some of you this morning, day after day. You rise early to meet your many obligations and deadlines, desperately trying to live off of the bread of anxious toil. And all the while, the living bread that came down from heaven, Jesus Christ, is standing in front of you saying, stop eating things that don't nourish you and stop letting the expectations of others consume you. Come to me, beloved, and I will give you rest. [00:37:11] (28 seconds)
But we all have wounds of one kind or another, just as we've all inflicted wounds of one kind or another. And I think her question is the question of all of us. What does Christianity have to say to somebody like me? And incredibly, Jesus Christ has a direct answer for her. This is my body broken for you. This is my blood shed for you. You're right, Jesus says, when you say that nothing about living this way is all right. It's so not all right, in fact, that rather than learning to live with it or letting you die for it, I choose to die myself so that you can finally live. [00:42:07] (55 seconds)
A God so committed to making us feel at home that he didn't just sacrifice his pristine carpet, he gave up his own perfect life to ensure that nothing could get in the way of us accepting a place at his table. And a God who rather than showing up with his immense power on display to intimidate us into feeling ashamed and unworthy to be there, he dressed down for that meal in the most vulnerable way imaginable. [00:48:17] (26 seconds)
And so we become consumers in every way imaginable, forever hungering but never satisfied. We try everything we can to fill the void by indulging our appetites for power, wealth, possessions, pleasure, even people. I was listening to the radio a number of years ago when a song by Florence and the Machine came on and her opening lyrics just absolutely haunted me. [00:32:47] (26 seconds)
I mean, sure he could appease them by performing another feeding miracle, but what's the point? They're only going to come back again hungry tomorrow. Instead he's determined to deal with the root of the problem, to confront the hunger that can't be filled with food, the hunger that's fueling that endless cycle of consuming one another and being consumed. If you're here to consume, Jesus says, fine, but you're going to have to consume me. [00:34:38] (26 seconds)
This is the symbol that you want people to remember you by, you at your weakest, your broken body, and your spilled blood, and you want people to eat it? And that's your vision for establishing a brand following, to gather your followers around this dinner table on your last night with them and prepare them for life on earth after you've gone by launching a new spiritual practice where people sit around eating bread and drinking wine as they remember your gruesome and torturous death. Like, really? You think that's going to catch on? [00:26:19] (33 seconds)
Who would want to be associated with a practice like that? Certainly not Jesus' fan base during his lifetime, that's for sure. In one of the eyewitness accounts of Jesus' life, the Gospel of John, chapter 6, we're explicitly told that the very point at which Jesus loses his biggest following is when he tells the crowd that if they want to live, it is not bread that they need to eat, but it's his own flesh and blood. And appalled, the crowd respond, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? This is a hard saying. Who can listen to it? Many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. [00:28:13] (41 seconds)
And how easily even those of us who've been Christians for a long time can lose sight of this truth, falling back into those same cycles of spiritual unhealth. I was personally convicted about this a couple of years ago when I allowed myself to get so caught up in busyness and stress that it was taking its toll not only on me but on my whole family. And I knew it was bad when one morning my son Raphael, who was four years old at the time, he sweetly prayed over breakfast, dear God, please give mom a happy heart. Amen. Ouch. There's nothing like a prayer from your child to rebuke you. [00:35:14] (38 seconds)
It's a biological reality that a lifetime spent gorging ourselves on junk food sets us up for heart failure. And the same applies spiritually too. A life spent consuming, a spiritually destructive diet is only going to give us heart failure of a far more serious kind. [00:38:42] (18 seconds)
In the words of Christian apologist Lisa Fields, the serpent convinced them to eat the fruit by selling them an identity that they already had. Just look at what the deceiver in the story says to the woman. For God knows that when you eat from it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. But here's the thing, they were already like God. God had already made them in his image after his likeness. And yet they fell for this lie that there was something in their identity that they lacked, something that was being intentionally withheld from them to their detriment. And the only way to be truly fulfilled was to go around God's back to get it. [00:30:28] (45 seconds)
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