Edible Words

In Jeremiah 9:7 God promises to refine and test us, his people. One area of purification that God's people needed in Jeremiah's day was to know the difference between a superficial peace with each other and a heartfelt peace. On the surface they were at peace. They said nice things to each other. But below the surface they were boiling, looking for ways to trip each other up, seeking revenge for past wrongs and hurts. And as we still sin, this church will need purifying in this way just as much as God's people did in Jeremiah's day.

Before we come to communion we should seek to make real and heartfelt peace with those who we have wronged or those who have wronged us. It is difficult to make peace and far easier to simply say nice things whilst seething or hurting below the surface. So, why should we make the effort?

First, we must look to the cross. There we see what lengths Jesus went to to make peace between us and God. It may be painful to make peace but nothing we do will be as painful as what Jesus did for us.

In Jeremiah 9, God gives us two reasons to make peace in verses 11 to 16. The conclusion of God's word through his prophet Jeremiah to his people who are not at peace is that he will judge them and punish them in two ways. First he will make them a ruin, scatter them far and wide. Second he will give them bitter food to eat and poisonous water to drink.

As we approach the communion table today, if are not at peace with our brothers and sisters in church then God will cause this church to be scattered. And the bread of communion will put a bitter taste in our mouths and the wine will taste poisonous. This is God's judgment and in some sense his punishment. And so, as we eat and drink, God will put it on our hearts to make peace with each other so that at our next communion the bread will not taste bitter but sweet and the wine will not poison us but give life to God's people as he refines, purifies, tests and humbles us and by doing so grows his church.