To No Effect

Recently, I took Communion with a friend.

We took part in these Communion cups. You can buy them online, yes, even on Amazon.

Anyway, we read one of the scriptural passages of “The Last Supper,” (like Luke 22:18-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25; Matthew 26:26-29).

We chose Mark 14:22-25…

 “And as they did eat, Jesus(Yahshua)  took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, ‘Take, eat: this is my body.’

And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.

And he said unto them, ‘This is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many.

Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the Kingdom of God (The Most High).’”

 

It sounds quite straightforward, doesn’t it?

And yet, my friend had an unusual response to “The Distribution.”

 

Concerning the Communion wafer, the “Bread/Body,” my friend reacted to verse 22.

 “Couldn’t I just place it on my tongue?”

He didn’t question the Truth of Yahshua.

He didn’t question the Truth of The Bread.

The breaking of it.

There wasn’t a big fuss. He broke the tiny wafer in two pieces.

Communion resumed.

 

It made me think. My friend’s denominational background influenced that question.

Roman Catholicism.

 

This isn’t about picking on any denomination. I have history with the Lutheran Church, myself.

(And the Lefse Potluck dinners to prove it).

This is about traditions.

Ways of doing things.

Each person has their own way of going about life and routine.

Churches, therefore, being filled with these creatures, called people, likewise, also have their way of doing things.

Tradition.

Dogma.

“The Service.”

 

My friend, having come from the Catholic Church, was accustomed to the Communion wafer being placed whole on his tongue, by the priest, during “The Distribution.”

The wafer was not broken.

That is opposite of what is recorded in Scripture, in example, Mark 14:22.

It’s not about nitpicking but picking up on the power of that breaking.

Breaking of The Body.

Yahshua did not die whole.

He was broken.

Injured.

Bleeding.

He did not sacrifice Himself for us in a neat, tidy, clean way.

 

Yes, He was perfect and clean, but His death?

Broken and grizzly.

“Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.”

Mark 7:13

“Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.”

Mark 7:8

We all do this.

Tradition.

In big decisions, like choosing ourselves as The Most High, instead of trusting Him to be Who He is.

Tiny yes and no responses to any number of questions.

We do it in mundane ways.

But what Holy details are found in the mundane?

Do we inquire about that?

Do we believe He has His answer for us?

“He took the Bread and BROKE it.”

What comes up for you, reading, hearing, and seeing that?

Abba Father-

We come to You, in The Name of Yahshua, By His BROKEN, CRUCIFIED BODY AND SHED BLOOD, asking for Your forgiveness for our many sins. These sins have also included how we have disregarded You, at Your Word and Truth.

Forgive us, anoint, and lead us to see, live, love, and agree fully with Who You are.

We, by faith, cast down every imagination (2 Corinthians 10:5), every tradition.

We want Your Effect, in and through our lives, from this moment on.

Thank You for helping us to live for You, not for traditions.

We receive it, in the Name of Yahshua.

Amen.

Copyright © 2025 by Sheryle Cruse