Communion

Mark 14:22-25 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” 23 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.”
 
COMMUNION is one word used to define the remembrance of this last Passover meal Jesus ate with his disciples. One definition of the word communion says: Communion is to share one’s intimate thoughts or feelings with another, especially on a spiritual level. “The purpose of praying is to commune with God.”
    Jesus’ meal was certainly an intimate exchange between Jesus and his disciples. Not only did he share his thoughts and words, he completely gave himself to an eternal communion with them – and with each believer.
    How large and eternal is the Son’s love that he took the bread, then gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” He had told them, “I am the Bread of life.” (John 6:35) They would come to understand that the bread represents Jesus’ broken body redeemed from death. When we receive this broken bread in faith, we join in eternal communion with the Son, Father and Spirit.
    Then he deepened his communion with his disciples through the cup. A Passover meal required four cups be passed. Jesus passed the fourth cup called the cup of consummation. This completed the Passover ceremony. But Jesus did not drink it. He promised, instead, that, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.”  He says there is more to come. From his blood comes a new promise from God that he will commune eternally with all who receive the cup in faith. That’s why he told the disciples in Matthew 26:27 “Drink from it all of you.”  He promised there would one day be a final consummation of the meal on, “that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.”
    Communion is a sacrament of the church, so called because it is to be a sacred observance of Jesus’ command, “Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19b) As we do communion let’s remember the benefits of an intimate love relationship with Jesus:

1. Communion unites us before God. We all come; we all eat and drink together. We confess our sin and restate our need for him to lead our lives.
2. Communion reminds us that we are forgiven.  
3. Communion expresses our oneness in Christ. We are unified in our faith and in our experience of Christ.
4. Communion encourages us to recommit. As we recall the sacrifice of Christ, he reminds us to pledge ourselves to service like his. (from Life Application Bible Commentary)

    The early church found great joy in Communion. May this be true for you and your church.