The Imitation of Christ · Chapter
Book IV: Of the Sacrament of the Altar explained
A devout exhortation to the Holy Communion, wherein Christ invites the weary and burdened to come unto Him, offering His flesh as bread for the life of the world and promising that those who eat His flesh and drink His blood dwell in Him an
What happens
A devout exhortation to the Holy Communion, wherein Christ invites the weary and burdened to come unto Him, offering His flesh as bread for the life of the world and promising that those who eat His flesh and drink His blood dwell in Him and He in them.
Themes in this chapter
Eucharistic Devotion
The chapter is a direct exhortation to partake in the Holy Communion, emphasizing the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
Love of God Above All
Christ's invitation to come unto Him and the promise of mutual indwelling highlight the primacy of divine love.
Characters to notice
- Jesus Christ
The Voice of Christ speaks, inviting the faithful to the Holy Communion and offering His flesh and blood.
- The Disciple
The narrator presents the exhortation to the Holy Communion, recording the words of Christ.
Key passages
“Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you, saith the Lord.”
Christ calls all who are weary and burdened to come to Him for rest and renewal.
This invitation echoes Matthew 11:28, emphasizing Christ as the source of spiritual refreshment.
“The bread that I will give is My flesh which I give for the life of the world.”
The bread Christ offers is His own flesh, given for the salvation of the world.
This refers to John 6:51, underscoring the sacrificial nature of the Eucharist.
“He that eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood dwelleth in Me and I in him.”
Whoever partakes of Christ's flesh and blood remains in Christ, and Christ remains in them.
This is a direct reference to John 6:56, highlighting the intimate union between Christ and the communicant.