The Unity of the Cup

by Tom Johnston
February 2007

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1- 6, ESV)

Communion. The Eucharist. The Lord’s Supper. By whatever name you call it, this celebration of remembrance is built around the symbols of the body and blood of our Lord and Christ, pointing to His atoning death for our sins. Whatever you call this holy moment of realization and reflection, however you practice it, this “cup of Christ,” this meal of sacrifice binds all Christians together. We are not so different after all. We are all in need of grace and forgiveness, and we all find it in the same place – the person of Christ.

So, why then schism and factions, sects and denominations? Are the simply different tribes and clans within one holy nation? Yes, and no. Are they different expressions of the Church, the multifaceted wisdom of God displayed in different forms to a diverse human global community? Yes, and no. Could it be that the diversity of movements and groups within the Christian faith are just sociological incarnations based on the point of time in history and culture when they emerged; or the personality or doctrinal beliefs of a particular church leader? Yes, and no.

On the positive side, when we look at the global Body of Christ, the Church with a capital “C,” (whether it is Roman, Byzantine, Melkite, one of the ethnic Orthodox varieties, Coptic, or one of the hundreds of Protest-tant flavors) we see the diversity in the Church as a wonderful, cultural, historical, ethnic revelation of Christ in His kingdom community. This is the “yes” aspect to the questions posed. But there is a “no,” too. And the “no” is killing us.

Late in the ministry of Jesus two of His twelve sought out prominence (Mark 10:35-45, Matthew 20:20-28). Expecting an earthly dominion in which they would participate, James and John were looking for significant positions in the new world order. Their mother got in on the act, too. Already part of His inner circle along with Peter, these two make their power play, looking to secure their influence in the kingdom to come. Jesus indicates they have no clue what they are asking, and asks if they can “drink the cup” He will drink. In other words, He was asking them if they could walk the path He would walk. Indicating yes, the brothers think that Jesus is testing their commitment to Him, their loyalty to the cause, which they immediately affirm. But they didn’t get it. With the wonderful gift of hindsight, we see from our vantage point what James and John missed. Jesus wasn’t questioning their loyalty. He was questioning their heart. Knowing the Cross was before Him – His ultimate service to humankind, Jesus calls them on their heart attitude: you want power so you can rule as lords, but I came to minister as a servant. The text goes on to point out how the attempt at political posturing hurt the community of the twelve, causing the others to become indignant.

This is the true cup of Christ which we must all drink: the cup of sacrificial servanthood. And this is where the “no” response to the questions above comes in. Much of the division in the body of Christ is not God-authored, but based in the same human need for power and position expressed by James and John. We let our desire for self outstrip our mandate to lovingly serve one another. We think we are right/have the fullest revelation/are the original item or the church as it was meant to be. Such posturing breaks our unity, and therefore, our effectiveness. Yet, we have the same Lord, are endued with the same Spirit, and called with the same calling by the same Father.

We must choose to drink the cup of Christ, the cup of sacrifice and service, if we are to truly be His Church. Putting politics and posturing aside we must choose to embrace those who also drink this same cup, setting aside the non-essential differences, and modeling to the world what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

So, the next time you participate in that holy moment of Communion/The Eucharist/The Lord’s Supper – whatever your tribe calls it – remember this: when you drink the cup of the New Covenant, you’re committing to be a living sacrifice – one who serves others sacrificially, walking in love and humility towards others, living in harmony and unity in the Spirit. What a model of Christ-likeness we would be!

Go ahead, drink the “cup of Christ,” and embrace His sacrificial life – not just in remembrance, but in action. If we all did, Jesus would change the world through us.

What are your thoughts?