Why is Holy Communion so important?
Our Scripture passage from Luke this week invites us to consider this question. No one could give us a better answer than Jesus in His own words.
Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
-Matthew 11:28
I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. - John 6:35
This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me. - 1 Corinthians 11:24
Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. - John 6:56
The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. - John 6:63b
In Holy Communion, the ordinary becomes extraordinary, the physical becomes spiritual, and the mundane is invaded by the sacred. All of these things transpire during Holy Communion because Jesus spiritually becomes present in the giving of the bread and in the drinking of the cup in Jesus' remembrance.
The eating of bread in Holy Communion becomes a means by which we share in the sinless, perfect body of Christ.
The drinking of the cup in Holy Communion becomes a means by which we share in an eternal covenant created with God through the sacred blood of Jesus.
Holy Communion is a means of grace through which the Holy Spirit feeds our hungry souls and nourishes us with the life of Christ. Just as Jesus says in John 6:56, we abide in Jesus and He in us when we eat the bread and drink the cup of Holy Communion.
Luke places Holy Communion in the context of the Passover meal. The Passover meal was observed annually by the Jews as directed by God (Exodus 12) in remembrance and celebration of their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Jesus shared in this meal with His disciples before going to the cross. He took the unleavened bread and equated it with his body. Leaven in Judaism is a symbol of sin. The Jews were to rid their homes of leaven during Passover and eat only unleavened bread. Jesus took the "sinless bread" and equated it with his own life. He asked His disciples to eat the bread in remembrance of Him. Jesus also took one of the cups of wine (four were typically shared in the Passover meal) and equated it with His imminent shedding of blood on the cross saying, This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. (Luke 22:20) Again, He asked His disciples to drink it in His remembrance. (1 Corinthians 11:25) The disciples, ourselves included, were not to simply remember Jesus as One who lived in the past, but in eating the bread and drinking the cup, they were to remember His presence among them in the present moment and feast in His grace offered to them without price.
The Apostle John doesn't place the Last Supper of Jesus in the context of the Passover meal. Instead, the Last Supper is shared with the disciples before Passover. Theologically, John is trying to tell us that the Passover Lamb who is slain on the day of Passover is Jesus, Himself. John wants us to see that Jesus is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)
One reason, among many, that Holy Communion is so important is that it is a Sacrament we can participate in regularly which spiritually connects us with Jesus and binds us in a covenant with God that is eternal. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, encouraged people to receive Holy Communion as often as possible for this very reason.
With grateful hearts, let us share in Holy Communion and rejoice in the transforming grace of Jesus that is offered to us at His table of grace!
No comments:
Post a Comment