A Performative Act

As we always say, this bread and fruit of the vine represent Christ’s flesh and blood. They picture his sacrificing himself—not like Old Testament priests, who sacrificed animals, which foreshadow his self-sacrifice for us (Hebrews 7:27; 9:25). There is nothing magical in the emblems themselves nor in blood and flesh as such. The value lies in what the emblems and the flesh and blood point to.

What they point to is violent death, in which blood was shed and body was broken. Our Lord did not die from sickness or old age, but from devotion carried to its fullest extent. He did it for us; so, these emblems freshen our memory of his obedience to God for our benefit and commits us to taking up our crosses and doing likewise.

Receiving this bread and grape juice is a performative act; that is, an act that says something. This performative act says so much.