The Sacrament refers to the partaking of bread and wine as expressed by Jesus, hours before his crucifixion, but how does it relate to Christians today? Why is it essential to explore the true meaning of “the sacrament?” Many churchgoers seek to emulate this experience without understanding or recognizing the foundation or depth of its meaning. Religionists believe it is a ritual that must be done.

Spiritually, the sacrament is the pathway laid down by Jesus for all mankind. What does it demand of all who seek to commemorate the life of Jesus? Why did Jesus use bread and wine? What do they represent? How can the example left by Jesus be applied to life experiences today? These are questions this article will explore and seek to answer.

Expanded Meaning of Sacrament

Have you asked yourself what the sacrament means to you? Merriam-Webster defines sacrament as “a Christian rite (such as baptism or the Eucharist) that is believed to have been ordained by Christ and that is held to be a means of divine grace.” After reading that definition, do you have a clearer meaning of why you partake of the “bread and wine” administered by your church?

After spending over 50 years of reading spiritual lessons on “the sacrament,” I have a current meaning that works for me. It is: Daily seeking to use my understanding of God to express divine qualities such as compassion, kindness, love and forgiveness in every situation and experience. Simplistic, but very difficult for humans to do. Why?

It is difficult because many humans believe they understand God and simply apply their meager understanding of God to rise above human challenges. Therefore, they don’t demonstrate the godliness Jesus left as a footprint, nor do they grow toward that level of demonstration. Understanding God better, is a key ingredient in demonstrating divine grace. That which is divine is the opposite of that which is human. Therefore, I see the sacrament as an ever-evolving understanding of its meaning; a constant seeking of who God is and my relation to him. And . . .as I grow, I demonstrate. The first step in that growth, is glorifying God.

Glorification of God

Glorification of God comes with understanding God. “To glorify” means to praise or honor. How can you successfully praise God without having an understanding of who He is. Seeking to understand God is a daily undertaking and requirement. God is Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth and Love. Each word identity carries with it specific attributes that must be demonstrated on a daily basis. Therefore, each thought should be analyzed to determine if it is in harmony with God. If it isn’t, you are not honoring God. The sacrament, “partaking of bread and wine,” is the pathway to glorifying God.

Jesus’ Use of Bread and Wine

A quote by Mary Baker Eddy in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, emphasizes my thoughts on partaking of “the bread and the wine.” She defines Eucharist and sacrament this way:

Our Eucharist is spiritual communion with one God. Our bread, “which cometh down from heaven,” is Truth. Our cup is the cross. Our wine the inspiration of Love, the draught our Master drank and commended to his followers.

What is the meaning of those words? They may mean different things to different people. I see them as a mental connection one has with God in which he uses his understanding of truth to express unconditional love, even though he is suffering from human trials and tribulations. Truth is the bread one must eat before he can be inspired with the wine of love. Doing so, enables him to drink from the same cup as Jesus.

The cup represents the tragedy one is experiencing, (such as the George Floyd strangulation) and at the same time, the sufferer finds himself able to embrace goodness, love and actually see the true identity of the person committing the offense. That identity is “man made in the image and likeness of God.” Once seen, the sufferer feels unconditional love at the core of his being. Thus, he can say without revengeful tendencies, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Have you ever been there? Have you ever experienced this kind of love? It is demonstrating “the new heaven and new earth!” Reaching this level of understanding and practice, may require many similar human sacrifices.

Practicing the Sacrament in Life

As I reflect on the Day of Insurrection at the Capitol in Washington on January 6, 2020, I wonder how many partook of the “bread and wine” as they were ridiculed, beaten and killed? How many could truly think love and forgiveness during the ordeal? How many could lift their thoughts above the physical brutality and grasp mentally ” the man God created.” Jesus did. . . and if we are to walk in his footsteps, we have to do it too. How many of us can? I don’t know.

Experience teaches us that we must first start with smaller sacrifices before we reach the ultimate sacrifice. This requires a daily “watchfulness of thought.” Each thought that does not glorify God, must be cast out and replaced with divine wisdom and love. Each experience moves us closer to partaking of “the sacrament.”

Before the crucifixion, Jesus gave bread and wine to his disciples as a reminder of the pain and suffering children of God experience in a world of sin, death and destruction. His message not only foretold his impending death and resurrection, but theirs also–a life they would experience in traveling the spiritual path he had chosen. Biblical history tells us the prophecy of Jesus was correct.

He was saying, “When you encounter death and destruction, cling to the idea that you are a child of God, made in the image of God, and not the flesh and blood man the world says you are. This is my truth tonight, and it must be yours in the future. You will suffer humanly but be inspired by the “wine of eternal life” you will receive later. That life is claiming your sonship with God. The suffering is the human cross you must bear in order to get to the other side.” This is the sacrament we all must partake of in some way, during our human experiences.

The Human Cross

Every human has a cross to carry. It may not be bodily suffering, but it will be mental suffering if we are to reach that “kingdom of heaven within us.” Evil thoughts and actions will be destroyed…either here or hereafter. No one walks into the peace and harmony God bestows, unless he gives up sin, sickness and death. Humanly, it may seem like some people get away “with stuff,” but rest assured, every knee must bow, and every tongue will confess.” So, my fellow Christians, it behooves all of us to begin the sacramental journey and drink the wine of redemption. The sacrament is yours to grasp now!