The moral of the story – Example

Let’s take a written example of story and moral (using the New International Version of the Bible):

23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

27Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.   (I Corinthians 11)

Put this meal on YouTube (without the sound) and ask people what it is about.  Some might just think this is a chance to eat.  Others might interpret this to be some kind of ritual, and might even come up with some possible interpretations of the ritual.  Others might just like the lighting and cinematography — figuring just being there would be fun.

Until someone steps up.  Stands in front and explains.  The story is more than the lighting and the food and the ritual.  This is about . . . the moral of the story is . . .

Jesus gives himself — the bread given.  Jesus gives his life — the blood given.  A new covenant is formed and affirmed.

There are many meals we eat.  In eating this meal we need to set the story.  Explain the circumstances and then eat.  And if you decide that all you want is the food and the lights and the ritual, you are eating wrongly.  You are contradicting the story.  You are dismissing the moral of the story.  You are passing from believer to apostate.

The moral of the story?  Watch out for story!