Communion in the Christian Community
For Centuries,
two practices have become a customary part of the Christian life, both having
been instituted in the early church
by Jesus Himself. The first is
Baptism, and is referenced throughout the New Testament as the immediate
step that follows a person’s confession of faith in Jesus Christ. In Baptism, a person descends and ascends in
the water to represent their identification with Christ’s death and resurrection
(Matthew 3:13, Acts 2:38). The second
is Communion, which we will experience together this morning. It was exemplified through the Last Supper as
Jesus gave directives to the church at large (Luke 22:19-21; 1 Corinthians
11:23-26). As we partake of the bread
and cup this morning, there are several things our Lord Jesus wants to speak to
our hearts:
Remembrance –
Communion is a time of thankfulness and joy. The broken
bread reminds us that Jesus’ body was
broken so we might have life in our mortal bodies (Romans 8:11), so we might
turn from our sins (Acts 3:26), so we might have the instruction and comfort of
the Holy Spirit (John 14:25-29; 16:5-15; 16:22-24), and so we need not fear the
grave (Hosea 13:14). His blood was shed
so we could be forgiven of our sins (Ephesians 1:7), cleansed from
unrighteousness (1 John 1:7-9), justified before God the Father (Romans 5:6-11),
and redeemed back to His family (Hebrews 13:12).
Restitution
– Paul, by the Holy
Spirit wrote, “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and
drinks of the cup” (1 Corinthians 11:28).
Communion is a time for each of us to review our relationships with
Christ and others. Note any areas that
need to be submitted to the Lordship of Christ.
Resolve any problems between you and Jesus. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in your
self-examination.
Refreshment
– The Gospel of Luke
records the first Communion (chapter 22). It was an intimate time between the
disciples and Jesus – and it can be for you, too. Come to the table with your heart open and
yielded to the Lord. As you seek Jesus,
lay aside the demands and pressures of the world. You are there just to be with Him, open to
His Spirit, ready to hear and respond.
There may be something in your life that He intends to heal or something
that He is calling you to die to, so that He can fill you with His abundant
life.
Responsibility -
In
2 Corinthians 5:15, Paul says that
Jesus died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves,
but for Him who died for them and was raised again. Since partaking of communion proclaims the
Lord’s death (1 Corinthians 11:23-29), is there any more fitting proof than the
everyday witness of our lives? He
committed Himself to us so we could fully commit ourselves to Him – so God’s
promises can become our personal possession, our hope and strength in times of
trouble, and our joy at all times.
Terry Risser
Consider reading the Word today:
Copyright – Terry Risser 2014
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