Communion is defined as the sharing of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level. It is also defined as the service of Christian worship at which bread and wine are consecrated and shared. Honestly, I could not count how many times I have participated in communion as defined in this second definition. Thousands of times probably. I sit here this morning, looking at a “This is the body, This is the blood” banner and wonder. Have I been looking at the right definition? Have I been taking communion or experiencing communion?

Let’s look back to the beginning. There was a feast of Passover, Jesus being Jewish celebrated the feast, so he celebrated Passover as was the custom with his disciples. At this point, he was traveling and ministering. So he is not in his home, he was invited as a guest, an honored guest. He sits around the table with his 12 disciples and others. He breaks the bread and blesses it. He invites them to come in and commune with him. He’s with his friends and his enemies. Even his betrayer was there. He knows his time here on earth was coming to an end soon and that the appointed time for his sacrifice was soon to arrive.  So, he calls everyone to attention and holds the bread. He breaks it so it can be passed around and shared, and he declares this breaking is a symbol of his own body, which will be broken for you. He then holds up the cup and declares that the wine is his blood, that it will soon be poured out for many, and that we should drink this and remember him. This communion supper, this ritual is a way that we take time to remember. Remember, this was the Passover meal before his sacrifice when he passed out the elements, and the days that came directly after the supper were when he became the sacrifice that was broken and poured out. Scripture also advises that this ritual is not only the taking of the bread and the wine and recalling Christ’s sacrifice but that it is a time of self-examination as well. That we should self-reflect and confess our sins if there are any and that we should remember what he has done so that we can receive forgiveness and reconciliation.

So you can see clearly that although communion could be consider by some as simply taking elements.  I would argure here though, that it is something more. I find myself asking “have I missed the real point of communion because I’m caught up in the ritual? What about the first definition of the word communion, does it also apply? Am I intimately sharing thoughts and feelings, on a spiritual level with God? Am I truly communing with God and other believers as I participate in the Communion experience?” The thought that for all my life I could have been missing out, that there is a greater meeting or a greater purpose to communion is making me stop and wonder. The truth is that the name “Communion” shows that the meaning is both the ritual and the intimate sharing of thoughts and feelings at a spiritual level.  They are both true and accurate definitions. 

Communion is the sharing of the Lord supper, a time of worship where we remember and recall all Christ has done for us, and bringing to mind how he has saved us and keep saving us. It is also a time or self-reflection and confession as we realize in the light of Christ glory, that we are undone and in need of him. Much like Isaiah in the presence of God, when he was overcome and proclaimed “’Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” When we come to God, when he sees us, all our failings and sin cannot stay hidden. So, communion is also a place of God light shining on us and giving us a chance to experience what Isaiah did in those moments- redemption and cleansing.  We worship God who sees us through Christ sacrifice and receive forgiveness and healing all while recalling as we take communion together that this was for all of us. This time is an intimate act of worship where our spirits commune with God and each other as well. I don’t want to be flippant and dismissive about Christ sacrifice or the Communion experience.  Communion is not a boring ritual, but instead it is an opportunity go find truth, freedom, and to experience intimate worship of our Savior. That’s what communion truly is.

Wow, if you could see this, and get ahold of this, it could change you forever. For my part, I can’t change my past, but I can move forward approaching communion the right way, starting today! How amazing that we get to participate, we get to consume, we get to worship and remember and partake of his body and blood.  The body and blood of our great high priest who was the very sacrifice to redeem us! I challenge you to do the same. Don’t let communion be what it has been in your life before, if you were like me and taking it for granted. Instead let it be as it was the first time, and they way he truly intended it to be- a time of true communion with God!