Let’s Think About Communion
Since the fall of 1990 I have been a part of a rotating team of speakers out at the Chapel in the Pines in the tiny community of Camp Sherman. This small fellowship of believers is delightful to walk a faith path alongside of. The folks who call the Chapel home come from all walks of life and faith traditions, and depending on the season, can see many visitors who make a point of returning to this special place every time they vacation in the area. This group of believers aims to reach far beyond this little valley through missionary support, building Habitat houses, and local help as needed and where needed. Once a month, as many protestant churches do, they celebrate communion, usually on the first Sunday of the month. And if I'm being truthful, many times I have just tacked this onto the end of the service with not much forethought.
Communion is an interesting ordinance left to us by Jesus. It mimics a bit of the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples in the upper room the night before his betrayal, punishment, and crucifixion. Paul, writing to the church in Corinth, gives the most detail in the bible of this ordinance. He was writing to a messed up church who were mucking up most every part of church life. They had multiple problems, and communion was one of them. Listen to his teaching from 1 Cor. 11.
In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good .... When you come together, it is not for the Lord's Supper you eat, for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. Don't you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!
In the early church, following the service of song, readings, and sermon, the group celebrated communion along with a full meal. A kind of pot luck dinner intending to build community and teach spiritual truths. In Corinth, it turned out to be anything but a bonding affair among their faith family and more like a free for all where some ate most and others went hungry. The meaning was lost in the chaos. Paul continues.
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A person ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup....
Many times communion is underplayed and seems like just a necessary duty of a church to follow each month, but clearly Paul says there is a lot going on here, and is important to the life of a believer and to the church family. Communion is so much more than a monthly add-on to a worship service. Here are four ideas to ponder the next time we approach the table.
It ties us to the past. The life and passion of the Savior is key for any believer if we are to go forward through life and into his presence. When Jesus says of his upcoming sacrifice, "...which is for you..." that includes us. We are part of the great drama God penned before the world was established. Refresh your view of all that has come before through the sacrifice of Jesus whenever you take communion. Take a moment of reflection of all that has been done for you before you eat the bread and drink the cup. Thankfulness flows from remembering.
It reminds us of our life in God. Bread and wine. Body and blood. Forgiveness and cleansing. Set free and walking under the smile of God. The new covenant is about the wall between a believer and God being removed, and access to all he has promised before us. Our life in God would not be possible without the death and resurrection of Jesus. Every time we take the elements, we stop, even for a few moments, and gratefully reflect on that truth, and that hands over to us courage to face life.
It binds us to a community. A life in Christ is never meant to be a life alone. We are built for community, and the failures of Corinth challenge us to look around and see how we need the congregation and they need us. This stands as a family of faith, diverse yet unified, from all walks of life and yet alike in faith. Communion calls us back to recommit to a tribe of flawed, growing, yearning, and needy followers of Jesus ... just like us. Every time you approach the table, take the time to look around and pray for eyes to see brothers and sisters, not just a group you find yourself among. And if you know of a person whom you are at odds with, make it right, right away, so as not to be a Corinthian.
It foreshadows our future. When Paul writes, "...you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes", he looks forward to the time when our rescue will be complete. Every time you celebrate communion, think afresh of the climax of God's drama of redemption that is coming. Jesus is coming. All will be made new. All emptiness and pain will drain away into the fullness and health of life in the presence of God, who welcomes us as his children. Our future is certain, just not yet. The best we have here is only an appetizer of the feast to come. As you approach the table, you might whisper, "Maranatha," come Lord Jesus.
If you attend a church, it has its rituals surrounding communion. Whether it is weekly or monthly or just occasionally, use those times to steer away from numbing routine and let the truth of what we are doing wash over you in fresh ways. You and I are best when we live out the truth and blessing of the ordinance and anticipate the time when God places a period at the end of the sentence.
How 'bout some music for the week?
And a funny or two
Each day I try to enjoy something from each of the four food groups:
The chocolate group
The salty-snack group
The caffeine group
The "What-ever-the-thing-in-the-tinfoil-in-the-back-of-the-fridge-is" group
__________
A hunting party is hopelessly lost.
"I thought you said you were the best guide in Maine!" one of the hunters angrily said to their confused leader.
"I am," replied the guide. "But I think we're in Canada now."