Summer BBQs and the Eucharist

“Wait. Hold up!” I stopped a conversation to finish formulating a corny joke in my head. We were at the summer BBQ for the men’s group at my church. Pork ribs were the main entrée for the night. I knew there must be some connection between Genesis and the gospels here. Finally, it came to me. The resulting joke was underwhelming for those who had to suffer hearing it. However, for me, it was like a satisfying ribbon of rabbinic poetry flowing from the recesses of socially awkward intent. “If we are having ribs tonight, I wonder if the speaker is teaching on Genesis 2,” I said. I was referencing the scene when God puts Adam to sleep and creates Eve from a rib taken from Adam’s side. My satisfied smile was met with slow head shakes and disapproval. Preparations for the event picked right back up where they left off as I walked away feeling like I had accomplished my purpose for the night.

When my internal laughter faded, I began to think more about the Garden of Eden scene in light of the life of Jesus. I thought about a hyperlink, as some of my favorite contemporary thinkers call it, from the first Adam to the second Adam (1 Cor. 15:22-45-49). God put Adam to sleep, took one of his ribs, and created Eve from it. In Genesis 2:23 Adam waxes poetic while meeting his companion for the first time, “This at last is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” The idea of one’s flesh giving life to another seems like an uncoincidental foreshadowing of Christ’s incarnate work.

Matthew 26:26-28 recounts Jesus’ last supper with his disciples before going to the cross. While at table, Jesus breaks the bread and distributes it to his followers saying, “Take, eat; this my body.” Then he takes the cup of wine and instructs, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Jesus tells us that as he gives his body and we partake in him, we will receive forgiveness for our sins, which must take place to receive eternal life.

By way of Adam’s flesh, Eve was given life on earth. From them, all human life has multiplied. By way of Christ’s flesh, all humanity who believes in him is eternally secured. God has created all people to be in relationship with him. However, sin among humanity creates a gap between God and people. Through the bodily sacrifice and resurrection of the perfect God-man, Jesus, the gap is bridged. Only those who partake in him find the way to eternal life (Jn. 14:6). Through the life, death, resurrection, body, and blood of Jesus humanity can have communion with God forever.

In the flesh, humanity broke relationship with our Creator. However, by the flesh of Jesus we are redeemed to dwell with God forever. This is what Jesus taught his disciples on the night before his trial. This is what we celebrate every time we take the eucharist, or communion as your church might call it. With the right intention, this is what we can recognize when we gather around the table with other believers to celebrate the freedom and forgiveness we have in Christ. As fellow Kingdom citizens, let us continue to gather in the name of our Lord, the joy he gives, our future hope for eternal life, and of course, delicious slow-cooked pork ribs and overpromising humor.