After the familiar story of Jesus feeding the five-thousand in John six there is much about how Jesus is the bread of life and about how His disciples must eat His flesh and drink His blood in order to live. Though Jesus doesn’t institute the Lord’s Supper at that time, our communion with Him is connected to our provision from Him.

Paul also connects communion with provision in 1 Corinthians 10. In the first part of the chapter Paul demonstrates from the Old Testament that it is dangerous to receive God’s blessings but not actually obey God (verses 1-12). In verse 13 he states famously:

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV)

Immediately after that Paul moves into a discussion about the anti-idolatry meal–the cup of blessing and the bread. In other words, our participation in the blood of Christ and in the body of Christ is part of God’s provision to escape temptation. God provides a way to endure. He provides grace. He provides nourishment. He provides help. And as with the loaves and fishes, there is more than enough.

The Lord’s Supper is a meal of soul-provision and of faith strengthening for sake of sin-fighting as we commune with Christ and with each other. We need it and He graciously provides. It’s a familiar story.