COMMUNION

Communion

Almost every Christian denomination observes the sacrament of communion. But to a newcomer or a new believer, communion could seem confusing. Even those who attend church regularly might think of it as “just something we do.” However, communion has a much greater significance than that.

It is definitely not “just something we do.” To better understand and appreciate communion – to receive the most from it – we need to revisit two events in history, Passover and the Last Supper.

Passover

Passover is a major Jewish holiday commemorating how God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. After the Lord had already sent nine different plagues against him, Pharaoh still refused to let God’s people go. The tenth plague, death of the firstborn, changed all that.

In Exodus 12:1-11, you can read how God, through Moses and Aaron, instructed the Israelites how they were to be spared from the tenth plague. He told them to sacrifice an unblemished lamb and take some of the blood and place it on the doorposts of their houses. That same night, they were to roast the lamb and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

God went on to explain, “For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance.” Exodus 12:12-14

The Israelites did just as God told them, and it came to pass exactly as He had said. At midnight, He struck all the firstborn of the Egyptian households; only the Israelites were spared because of the blood on their doorposts. When Pharaoh became aware of what had happened, he called for Moses and Aaron and told them, “Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. Go and serve the Lord as you have said. Also take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also.” Exodus 12:31-32

This was the beginning of the Israelites’ freedom, and the Passover feast, also known as the Feast of Unleavened Bread, has been celebrated annually by those of the Jewish faith ever since.

The Last Supper

The second event that helps us understand communion is the Last Supper. It is so significant that it can be found in three of the four Gospels and in the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church.

In chapter 22 of Luke’s writings, we learn that Peter and John prepared the Passover meal as was the custom of all Jews. At that meal, Jesus spoke to His disciples saying, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22:15-20

The Last Supper became the model for what we call communion today. After this meal, Jesus was betrayed by his disciple Judas, arrested, tried, whipped, crucified and buried. Three days later, He rose victorious over death, sin and the grave!

The Benefits

It isn’t difficult to recognize similarities between Passover and Communion. Both were initiated by God, both include unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine. The blood of an unblemished lamb saved the Israelites from death, and the blood of Jesus the Lamb of God provides salvation, deliverance from the bondage of sin and so much more! Looking at these similarities makes it easy to see that Jesus bridged the gap from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant – and that God’s heart has always been to deliver and see His people live in freedom.

Both Passover and Communion also encourage us to remember all God has done for us. Psalm 103:2-5 names some of those things when it tells us to: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Bible has much to say about the totality of what Jesus accomplished in His death and resurrection. Here is one verse that sums it all up nicely. It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people. By that single offering, He did everything that needed to be done for everyone who takes part in the purifying process (Hebrews 10:14 MSG).

Pause, Remember and Receive

Taking communion is a great way to push the pause button of your life to remember, focus on and receive the fullness of all God has done for you in Christ. Many times, the blessings you don’t receive are the ones you either don’t know are yours or the ones you have forgotten about.

Every believer should receive communion in their local church with the body of believers whenever it is offered. But did you know that you can also take communion anytime using crackers and grape juice or whatever you have that can symbolize the body and blood of Jesus?

Once you have the symbols ready, you can begin by reading aloud these words that Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. “The Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Then eat the bread. Take a moment to thank Him and reflect on what this means to you.

Next, take the juice in your hand and continue reading. “In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” Then drink the juice.

Receiving communion reminds us of so many significant things God has done for us. Here are just a few of the things you can bring to remembrance as you are receiving communion:

You have a covenant with God, not because of what you did, but because of what Jesus did. He redeemed you with His blood, purchasing you back from your fallen state and establishing a covenant relationship between God and you (Galatians 3:13).

He redeemed you so that all the blessings of Abraham might come upon you (Deuteronomy 29:1-15).

Through His redemption, you are freed from the curse, which includes sickness, poverty, shame, rejection, and various other afflictions. You are an heir according to the promise (Galatians 3:13-14, 24-29).

In the Old Testament, access to God’s presence was limited, but through Jesus’ sacrifice, you have continuous access to the throne of grace (John 14:6).

Jesus’ blood didn’t only cover sin; it eradicated sin! Hebrews 10 emphasizes that Jesus’ sacrifice for sin was once and for all, and it assures you that nothing can separate you from God’s love.

Today and every day, the blood of Jesus speaks on your behalf, signifying your redemption. That is certainly worth celebrating!

We also invite you to join us at https://wbftv.link/Communion to participate in communion with Pastor Duane’s video, Raise Your Cup – Communion Unveiled.

If you would like someone to agree with you in prayer, please contact us at (800) 988.5120 or prayer@walkingbyfaith.tv.

(All scriptures are quoted from the New King James Version unless otherwise stated.)