Communion
“AS often as you do this, remember me.”
What is communion?
Communion is a time of reflection. It is the act of partaking of sustenance which resembles the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Traditionally the elements used are bread and wine. In our corporate communion, it’s a cracker and grape juice. The physical sustenance is not as is important as what it symbolizes—the blood and body of Christ, which was sacrificed so that our sins may be forgiven.
Communion was instated by Jesus Himself. The twelve disciples were gathered with Jesus for their last meal together before the Crucifixion, and he was reminding them of what He was about to do, and how they should proceed without Him.
Why do we partake in communion?
Jesus told us why we celebrate communion when He instated it. He said, “Do this… in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthian 11:25). When we take communion, we are remembering Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. The bread and wine are tangible, visible reminders of Christ’s love for us.
Sometimes, in our day to day lives, it’s easy to lose sight of our walk with God. It’s easy to get lukewarm, or forget to appreciate His grace in our lives. Communion is a physical act which serves as a reminder of Him, His love for us, and our walk with Him.
Just as we depend on food and drink to live physically, we can only live spiritually through Christ. Communion is a chance to bring ourselves before the Lord and reexamine ourselves, ensuring that our relationship with Christ is authentic and genuine.
What does the Bible say about communion?
The Last Supper (or the first communion) is recounted in Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25 , Luke 22:19-20 , and 1 Corinthians 11:24-26
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins’”
When is our corporate communion?
1 Corinthians 11:24-26 says, “for as often as you do this…”. We choose to participate in communion during the beginning of our church service on the fifth Sunday of the month, which is typically on a quarterly basis.
However, you are always welcome to participate in your own personal communion as individuals, families or friends, as often as you’d like.