Communion

And why it is good to take it at home

Many of us are in churches where communion (or the Lord’s supper) is taken in church and has a load of liturgy surrounding it. It is sad but I think the significance of communion is lost because it has become a bit of a rite. Some churches even go so far as to say, you have to be baptised or over the age of 14 or some other provision.

That’s the negative out of the way, let’s have some positive…

On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?” “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Mark 14 v 12 – 26

You can also read it at Luke 22 v 7 – 38 and Matthew 26 v 17 – 30

Communion happened at the time of Passover, a time the Jews celebrated freedom as slaves, when God brought them out of Egypt. Jesus broke with tradition by saying, “Eat, this is my body”. And then went on and encouraged them to drink the wine which is his blood poured out for them and others. In Luke’s gospel he is also adds, “Do this in remembrance of me.” This is the significance of communion. It is a reminder of what Jesus did on the Cross and a reminder for us to look at our lives and get right with God. It is a symbol of God washing us clean through forgiveness. It should be a tradition taken in our homes daily, encouraging us to keep our focus on God.

Pray, ask God to come and remind us of Jesus’ commitment to us as he died on the Cross and gave his life so we can be forgiven. Thank God for Jesus. If you’re taking communion with children use grape juice and bread. Remember this is not only about his death but also a celebration. When Jesus died he brought life and life to the full, we are set free because of what Jesus did.