The meal Jesus gave us: Reclaiming the Heart of Communion
Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist, is a significant practice. It is not just a ritual; it is an act of remembrance, reflection, and connection with Jesus and other believers. Rooted in the words of Jesus in Matthew 26, communion is a reminder of His sacrifice and His invitation to participate in the grace and unity of His body.
Gods love in a meal
The Lord’s Supper was given to Jesus’ disciples at a tender and vulnerable moment. Even as some sought His life, He was preparing others, demonstrating the very essence of communion—Jesus receiving us at our worst, offering a meal of fellowship. Oh, the love and grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Right from the beginning, the Church reenacted those precious moments recorded in Matthew finding strength and joy in the gospel, proclaiming the Lord’s death and resurrection until He returns. Matthew records that Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, “This is my body, given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Likewise, He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:19-20). These words then establish the foundation and framework of communion as an act of remembrance, obedience, and faith.
Have We Become Common-fused?
There are times when our practice of communion becomes familiar, even stale, losing the joyful union with our Lord.
In 1 Corinthians 11:20-34, Paul warns against taking the bread and wine in an unworthy manner. Some wrestle over the nature of the elements, asking if the bread and wine become the literal flesh and blood of Christ. Others debate who may partake, sometimes using it as a means of control. Then there are the logistics: Should we share a common cup, use individual cups or practice intinction (dipping the bread)? Should elders serve, or should believers come forward at will?
All these questions, if we are not careful, distract from the simple truth living at the heart of communion. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
Before addressing the ‘how’ of communion then, let us return to the ‘why.’
Why Communion
1 Corinthians 11:26 – “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
When we take communion, it is as though we are gathered at the table with Jesus, proclaiming to one another, to principalities and powers, and indeed to the cosmos what the Lord has done. Just imagine: Simply by partaking, we use our spiritual megaphones to declare Christ’s sacrifice—breaking the power of sin and death, lifting us from darkness into His kingdom!
Even in Genesis, we see a foreshadowing of this. After a victorious battle, Abram encounters Melchizedek, the High Priest of the Lord, who offers him bread and wine. This moment, echo’s into the New Testament through Jesus as our Great High Priest, whose ultimate victory over sin and death is celebrated through bread and wine.
So Which Way Is Best – the How?
How regularly should we take it? Are there restrictions? What method best honours the sacrament?
Communion does not accomplish the work of salvation but proclaims the finished work of Christ. This allows the Church flexibility in its practice. However, we must avoid practices that diminish its meaning. Taking communion in an unworthy manner or trivializing it—such as substituting bread and wine with a doughnut and soda—diminishes the gravity of what is being proclaimed.
Four Matters to Inform Our Practice
1) The Heart
“The heart is deceitful above all things” Jeremiah 17:9. Before partaking in communion, we should examine ourselves. This means pausing in the rush of life, allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal anything that needs addressing. There are times I have refrained from taking communion because I needed to forgive or apologize. At other times, I have sought out a fellow believer to reconcile with before coming to the table. Obeying the Spirit’s nudge is crucial, even when our flesh resists.
Communion then should be led in a way that allows believers to hear the Holy Spirit, whether as a solemn reflection or a joyful welcome of His presence.
2) The Togetherness
“When you come together…” 1 Corinthians 11:20. Christianity is not a solo pursuit—we need one another. Communion reflects this unity. The very word “communion” implies coming together, reminding us that every believer is equal at the Lord’s table.
Let us take communion in ways that emphasize this togetherness. Communion should not be received in isolation. It is not merely about reading a Script but about actively remembering Jesus—His works, His love, His salvation—together as His body.
3) The logistics
Personally, I love taking communion in a small group, sharing testimonies, pausing for the Holy Spirit, reading Matthew 26:26, and passing the bread and wine among us. However, in a growing congregation of 300 adults, this is not always be feasible.
Our goal is to partake in communion once a month in our Sunday services. We then encourage believers to practice communion regularly in small groups. Sunday services do not hold a monopoly on this meal—it was given to all believers to share and proclaim.
4) The Place
Communion should be taken in a way that serves the body of Christ. Whether in a church service, a home group, or among close friends, the emphasis must remain on remembering Christ, proclaiming His victory, and maintaining the unity of the believers.
Conclusion
We are committed to making communion a deeply meaningful and engaging practice within our congregation. By taking communion monthly as a gathered church, we create intentional space to pause, reflect, and welcome the Holy Spirit’s presence, remembering the sacrifice of Christ.
Beyond our corporate gatherings, we encourage small groups to also embrace communion regularly, enjoying these more intimate settings.
We aim to transition to individual glasses and bread (pitta), served by leaders within JCC—encouraging some act of service/contact to this sacrament. Additionally, we will incorporate visual representations of the bread and wine, reminding us that we all come to one table —Christ Jesus.
The leader (often an Elder and host) will draw attention to Christ, reminding us not to rush into things, but encouraging people to allow the Holy Spirit to help us take communion in a worthy manner. They will take the example loaf and wine, giving thanks to God.
The 6 stations with two leaders at each station will move from the front, positioning themselves around the hall to enable accessibility (see diagram).
Believers are then be invited to go to their nearest station collecting juice and pitta and gather in small groups. In groups they will then take the bread and wine with opportunity to pray for one another.
Through this meal we draw closer to Him and to one another, strengthening faith and proclaiming His victory until He comes again. The changes are designed to give clarity around the sacrament (how we do it and when), to give the space to self-examine, to encourage some element of service (rather than it becoming self-sufficient) and enable fellowship and unity through the small groups & prayer.
The leader officiating should feel able to guide the congregation into a more sombre time, hope filled time, joyous time, as they and the spirit lead, preventing this from becoming stale.
Approximately 10 minutes should be allowed for communion.
