By Flesh and Blood

“You who were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ,” Paul tells the Gentile Ephesians (2:13). Jesus’ blood is the sacrificial blood that makes a way of approach to God.

“He Himself is our peace, who made both one and broke down the dividing wall by abolishing in His flesh the enmity,” Paul adds (2:14-15). By His death in the flesh, Jesus removes the ordinances and enmity that divided humanity into Jew and Gentile.

Putting these together: Gentiles are brought near to God, and Jews and Gentiles are united, by Jesus’ death, by His shed blood and shattered flesh.

And can we imagine that Paul would say this without having the blood and body of the Supper dancing in the back of his mind? 

It is when we eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of man that we receive life. It is when we drink the blood shed to bring us near, and eat the flesh that abolished enmity, that we are brought near and joined as one new humanity. For the bread we break is a sharing in that barrier-shattering flesh; and the cup we bless is communion in that near-bringing blood.