Communion strengthens community

Depending on denominational background, another church practice (besides baptism) is called “The Lord’s Supper” or “Communion” or the “Eucharist.” Paul describes it in a passage often read during this ritual.

“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when 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 also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

“Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.

“But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

“So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.” (1 Corinthians 11:23–34)

While some believe that these elements of bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ, it seems to me that the Bible does not go there. Instead, this is a symbolic reminder of what Jesus did for us. His body was broken beneath the weight of our sins; His blood poured out by death whereby our sin was taken from us and its penalty paid by His substitutionary death.

By taking the elements, I am focusing on God’s grace and love in sacrificing Jesus to redeem me. I am also giving my full attention to Jesus Christ and His obedience to go to the Cross on my behalf.

This passage warns not to eat the bread or drink the wine in an unworthy manner. Each time we have communion in our church, the pastor reminds us that this is not about our worth or about being sinless. We do not participate because we are perfect, but because we believe. Our faith is in Christ’s finished work. He makes us accepted by God. Unbelievers can never be worthy, yet those who are able to take the elements are made worthy by faith.

We are also told that keeping short accounts with God is important. That is, if I have unconfessed sin in my life that I am aware of, it needs to be cleared before I participate in Communion. Again, this is not about perfection, but an opportunity to take care of anything that is hindering my relationship with God. I’m not certain Paul includes this in the matter of “examining” ourselves, but how could I focus on Christ’s sacrifice for me and fully celebrate what He has done without confessing sin?

As solemn as this ordinance is, very often my heart is filled with joy. Jesus died for my sin; I am set free, no longer condemned, no longer under God’s wrath, forgiven and free to serve the Lord! I’ve told our pastor that I often feel like ‘dancing in the aisles’ because of what Jesus has done.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Lord Jesus, I’m so glad that You gave us this command to remember You and Your sacrifice for us, not that I would forget, but taking time to really think about it does amazing things in the Body of Christ. First of all, You are glorified. We sing louder and with great joy that You are our God and Savior. Also, we are united in our worship; our hearts are turned to You in unison. Nothing else matters except that we are Your children and we have Your gracious gift of forgiveness and eternal life.

Understanding the Lord’s Supper

Bible translations come in two basic forms. One is word-for-word and as literal as possible in transcribing the ancient texts into English. The other is called dynamic because it attempts to get the core truths and put them into readable English. Proponents of the former prefer Bibles like the King James Version, New American Standard, and English Standard. The dynamic versions vary but the most common is the New International Version.

While support for one or the other can become quite heated, we need to remember that English is not the only language aim for translators. People who do this task in other lands might need to translate terms like propitiation and redemption into a language that has no words for those terms or even a concept for what they mean. Because of the language, they must translate in a dynamic way that is also creative and relevant.

I’ve noticed that there are two application styles also. Some prefer a literal obedience and imitation of the text. Others do their best to understand what it would have meant to the original readers, then try to dig from that text some timeless principles before they apply it to their own lives. I prefer this latter way of interpretation and application, yet prefer using a literal translation to get to that. To me, the dynamic Bibles have already done some interpretation, and while most of it is accurate, some of those timeless principles literally get lost in the translation.

This morning’s devotional takes me to a passage about the first communion, sometimes called the Lord’s Supper. It took place in an upper room just prior to the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus.

And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. (Luke 22:14–20)

The person who wrote this devotional says that Jesus knew how this supper ought to be observed for it was the model for all others, so the right way of coming to this communion is to assemble around a table and to sit or recline while eating bread and drinking wine together in remembrance of our Lord.

There is nothing wrong with doing it this way, yet I think that interpretation puts limits on the celebration of communion. It could also miss the point, which is that we do this to remember Jesus and what He has done for us as the ultimate Passover Lamb of God.

Consider the size of a church. It would be relatively easy for a group of ten or even fifty people to reline around a table. My church has 400-500 each Sunday. Reclining around one table creates a huge problem in logistics.

Consider also the people who participate. In many cases (particularly in North America), there are folks in the congregation who cannot drink wine because they have been delivered from alcohol addictions. For many of them, the fruit of the vine has to be grape juice.

The reclining was cultural and so was the use of wine, partly because pure water wasn’t easy to find. Good exegesis realizes that many parts of the Bible describe cultural elements. Sometimes they describe our situation too, but not always. A church that meets in a straw-roofed shelter with a dirt floor would likely not put its members into a reclining position. A church that has no access to wine must select another drink as a reminder.

The timeless principle is that we gather together as believers and remember Jesus in communion (the word in the text is Passover) using the symbols of bread and wine. This is not an event for unbelievers, nor is it a sacrament that will give anyone salvation. It is to remind us what Jesus did for us.

Actually, the Passover for the Jews was a reminder of their deliverance from bondage in Egypt. It was tied to the night they killed a lamb and put the blood over and on their doors. Then, when the angel of death visited that land, they were passed over because of the blood. Without it, the firstborn in each home was slain.

This too has a timeless principle in that Jesus came to deliver sinners from our bondage to sin. When His blood has marked our lives through faith, then we are passed over for eternal death. This is to be remembered and celebrated often, until Jesus returns. After that, we will eat with Him at a different meal, the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Thinking about these things ought to have an effect on me also. While it is only implied in the text, the Holy Spirit takes these words and says, “This is what Jesus did for you. Therefore respond in grateful praise and by living according to that new heart that He has given you.” Translators would not add that in, but the Holy Spirit is free to make sure that I understand what is said and know what God wants me to do about it.