For Lent: A Communion Meditation on Fullness

When was the last time you felt full? What was it that caused that feeling?

Not full as in sick, but full as in satisfied.

Genesis 1 says so much, but it is also just one long amazing poem about God’s provision, and that it was good. It isn’t meant to be an historic play by play of six literal days, but to reflect the eternal truth that the universe exists, we exist, the earth exists and everything in it because God said “Let there be…” It destroys the myth of the self-made man and reminds us that we are dust and that we are of God, all in the same breath. God has created, God has provided, God has given us more than we could ask or imagine.

And yet, it seems as if no time has passed before we begin to value the gifts over the giver. Adam and Eve are in the garden, a garden full of everything they could ever need and one thing they aren’t ready for. God commands them to eat of any tree in paradise, except for this one tree. This tree brings death.

And still, life is good. Adam and Eve enjoy the presence of God and the paradise He has provided. Until the snake arrives. Satan, the tempter, the deceiver, the adversary, comes and asks Adam and Eve to put the gift before the giver. He tells them that they should eat what they like. He promises power on par with God Himself. Satan whispers “Take and eat. This eternal life.” And they don’t resist. They take and eat. And as a result, they are commanded to leave paradise. As a result, they bring sin and suffering and death into the world. As a result, our reality is broken.

And humanity spends thousands and thousands of years wrestling with this brokenness and wrestling with God, obeying Him one second and defying Him the next. And yet, He continues to provide. From the start, he provides clothing for Adam and Eve, since the clothing they have made for themselves is so inadequate, and continues on throughout history, providing second chances and new beginnings, deliverance from Egypt and food in the desert, the law and the prophets, judges and kings. And, finally, providing the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus Christ.

If we’re going to talk about being full, we have to begin with where fullness comes from. If we’re going to talk about gifts, we have to begin with the giver. If we’re going to talk about sacrifice, we have to begin with Jesus. Jesus who was with God in the beginning, when paradise was first created. Who is with us now, through His Spirit and His Church. Who is with us in our time of communion.

Jesus who comes offering us salvation from sin and an end to brokenness. Jesus who comes offering us the bread that is His body and the drink that is His blood. who offers fullness when he says “take and eat, this is eternal life.”