Choosing Jesus: Holy Communion

Jesus becomes the innocent lamb that takes away the sin of the world. Sacrificing his own life, he opens a doorway from death to life, from rebellion to friendship, from separation to communion and from senseless suffering to redemptive suffering. (Spiritual Disciples Handbook, p.33)

Holy Communion is a special experience in the life of the believer whose eyes are fixed on Christ Jesus. It isn’t something to take lightly. It is not a gift that I have enjoyed as regularly as I could have. But, it’s important to note something…

It is about the community we experience.

Communion is not solely expressed during a Christmas Eve service at the place we call our church home. It is in the community that joins us first with Jesus Christ – our Savior, and second to the church in which we have been called – the body rightly called the body of Christ.

Communion is in the unity we have found in Jesus Christ, because He taken all of our punishment upon Himself. He has called us His own, when He has the authority to eliminate us from the opportunity to sit at HIs divine table.

Communion is found in the unity we have within the church. As Christ’s bride, we have been scooped up from the various place of the earth and called His own. Together, we are called His own.

This weekend, let’s consider the important of the Holy Communion and the influence it has on our faith, relationships, and walk with the One True God.

Why…

Jesus, the Christ, has endured all things for our sake. To redeem us. This is why we celebrate the Holy Communion/Lord’s Supper.

Maybe, you haven’t taken communion in years as it is described in the Scriptures. It is about that community and unity found first and primarily with God through Jesus Christ and secondly – His Church.

In Acts 2:42-47, we gain a beautiful picture of the way God has designed His church – where no man, woman, or child is left to keep the faith and follow Jesus on their own. They came together, ate meals together, fellowshipped, and held church services inside their homes.

They made Jesus Christ their priority, which meant making His church a priority too. Accurately, they can be described as fully devoted to their Savior and those He cares deeply for.

This vision stands for us, as well. Even today. It doesn’t matter if you live in America or another country. The unity in His church needs to continue and flourish between the body’s members. It is not enough to accept this when it comes, but we must make it a goal we strive toward. This is a benefit of communion. Communion reminds us that we are to be “of one accord” (see Philippians 2:1-2).

The Holy Communion offers us the chance to remember Christ, and keep Him as the center of our lives. I have heard it described as an act of renewing our vows to our Savior, and the community in which He has placed us.

Benefits…

The greatest benefit of all, is remembering what God through His Son Jesus Christ has done on our behalf. There is nothing more sacred, than hearing these words and remembering what it is really all about –

He took a cup of wine and gave thanks for it.

Jesus: Take this; share it among yourselves. ¹⁸ Know this: I will not drink another sip of wine until the kingdom of God has arrived in fullness.

 Then He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and shared it with them.

Jesus: This is My body, My body given for you. Do this to remember Me. And similarly, after the meal had been eaten, He took the cup.

Jesus: This cup, which is poured out for you, is the new covenant, made in My blood. (Luke 22:17-20, VOICE)

It is about the sacred covenant God has made with each one of us, calling us out of darkness, into His marvelous light, but it doesn’t stop there. We aren’t merely to tolerated in the Kingdom of God, like we might allow someone into our lives – however we keep them at arm’s length. God shows us what true love is. We are not foreigners in His Kingdom, but citizens.

As we are taught in the Word of God,

And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. (Eph. 1:13-14, NLT)

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ… (Phil. 3:20, ESV)

Question…

“What do you hope to receive at the Lord’s Table?” (p. 34)

Activity…

Remember what has been done for you. Jesus Christ came, to save us from all unrighteousness. For those who have placed their trust in Jesus, He has taken us from death to life. We are forever His, and nothing can change that. This is plenty for us to celebrate. Let’s spend this time, in thanksgiving – thanking God for His unending love for us!

If you have an opportunity to celebrate the Lord’s Supper this week at your home church, take time to prepare youself beforehand. Scripture reminds us of our need to spiritually examine ourselves, before taking communion – for it is important to make sure we are right with God. (see 1 Cor. 11:17-34)

If you made it through today’s post, I have a surprise for you. May they be an encouragement for you – as you focus on communion with our Lord and His people.

“That’s My Lord” by Phillips, Craig, and Dean

“Brother” by Need-to-Bre

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