If someone talks non-stop about their aches and pains, I assume that these troubles are significant. If discussion continues to return to one’s family, I perceive its importance. If their faith is crucial to their lives, my bet is that it will frequently be a topic of conversation. One simple measure of the importance of something is how often it is spoken of.
Given its importance in Scripture and throughout Church history, it is surprising that the practice of communion has fallen into such disrepute in many of today’s churches. A constant sticking point during the Reformation—between Protestants and Catholics and among Protestants themselves—the meaning, practice and necessity of the Lord’s Supper was recognized as a central aspect of our living faith. Yet today it is often seen, if at all, as merely a rite or tradition that one can either take or leave. Yet the biblical narrative demands a much more reflective understanding.
Five brief characteristics of the Lord’s Supper highlight its importance for the believer:
1. The practice of communion memorializes the high-point of redemptive history. Captured in the words of institution, communion is about the past (“…in remembrance of Me”), the present (“Do this…”) and the future (“…proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes again”). And, of course, the central character in the drama is none other than Jesus Himself. Each time we partake, we embrace the reality of salvation.
2. The Lord’s Supper is a “sign and seal”—a sign of the centrality of Christ’s death and sacrifice for His people, and a seal, a promise, of the forgiveness that is ours because of that sacrificial death. Each time we partake, we witness to Christ’s death and are fortified with His atoning promises.
3. The repeated practice of the celebration of communion reminds us that it is a covenant renewal ceremony. Covenants (promises) made in the Scripture include a provision to constantly remind one another of the core promises and obligations of the covenant. The New Covenant, the promise of salvation sealed in Christ’s own blood, is remembered and celebrated through communion. Each time we partake, we are reminded of the essence of the promise of salvation—and the cost, Christ’s death.
4. As a sacrament, the Lord’s Supper is a “means of grace,” a practice whereby God’s goodness, unmerited favor and blessings are experienced in a unique way by the participant. The grace we receive is the spiritual Presence of God Himself. In communion, we are taken up into His Presence and given the strength and comfort of His assurances. Each time we partake, we are given God’s mercy and goodness, we are given Christ Himself.
5. Communion orients us to God and to one another. When we celebrate communion, we are directed to God who draws us to Himself. We commune with Him spiritually. But we also are communing with one another—we are acknowledging our “common unity,” that which holds us together, Jesus Christ. Each time we partake, we are refocused upon Him and upon one another.
For these, and so many other reasons, we must never neglect the biblical command to “do this in remembrance of Me!”
In preparation for worship this week, read Mark 14:10-25.
- How does Mark imply a motive for Judas’ betrayal? How would you describe that motive? How might someone unconsciously hold similar motives?
- What is the purpose of the verses describing how the disciples found the room to host the Passover meal? Why did Mark include this in his narrative? Why did God so include it?
- What does the description of how Jesus identifies Judas as His betrayer tell us about their relationship? How might there be a parallel with our own relationship with God?
- What does it mean that Jesus “blessed” the bread? What might he have said, and what might that tell us about Jesus’ relationship with the Father?
- Jesus connects the ideas of blood and covenant here. A covenant is a promise, the description of a relationship. The blood represents the nature of life itself. The covenant is secured by Jesus’ own life. What are the implications of this covenant for your daily life?
By Henry Knapp