For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. 1 Cor 11:26

If we count ourselves a follower, believer, and/or disciple of Jesus Christ, then we most likely have observed and participated in “communion services”. In today’s message, may we take a fresh look at the Christian practice of communion. Without getting into a deep theological discussion or argument, we’re inspired to venture beyond the dictionary definitions of communion as simply “a sharing” or “part of a church service”. Meditating on God’s primary reasons for having communion gives us all an opportunity to grow in a special way.

The night before he was crucified, Jesus initiated the sacrament or celebration which is also known as Holy Communion, The Communion Service, Eucharist (the Greek word which means “to give thanks”), The Lord’s Table or Supper. During a traditional and special Passover meal, as the one and only head of the living church, Jesus introduced new meaning. He used two common foods of the day as objects in a ritual to remember Him; one that predictably has lasted to this day.

He took bread and broke it (representing His beaten and bruised body so we could be healed). He also took the cup (fruit of the vine representing His blood) so that we could be saved from the penalty of sin. The 22nd chapter of Luke verses 7-23 is a good place to see references to this divinely symbolic process.

Please consider the profound opportunity when we discern the Lord’s deep-seeded design to remember Him. Apostle Paul’s words of revelation verify the communion purpose of Christ in 1 Cor verses 23-34. The opportunity to worship God, to remember Jesus’ death for us, to anticipate His return, to assess our inner self and confess our personal sins, and to help restore our relationships with others strategically accompanies this amazing observance.

Communion is Jesus’ profound gift and blessing for each of us to reflect on what He did, what He is presently doing within us, and what He promises He’ll do as our ultimate hope. Venturing beyond the simple dictionary meaning, communion snuggles more closely to Perry Stone’s definition in the title of his book, The Meal That Heals.

Family and friends, may this short note bring an authoritative balance to our attitude in how we participate in future “communion services.” Communion with God is no joke, frill, or surface activity. It is the opportunity to be most intimate with the God of Creation on a daily basis, and for us to flow into His presence as our Healer and Savior.

Acts 2:42; John 6:53-58; Matt 26:26-28

** Credit to Christian Practices by David Batty, Teen Challenge International