Each week, our church participates in the act of Worship known as Communion. Those who follow from home are also asked to participate. Sometimes, though, this act becomes merely taking bread, and a cup of juice because it's what we always do. It becomes, at best, a ritual of remembrance, and at worse monotony. Some churches have cut down on the weekly practice to make it more special, but really, this should be the Believers individually holding themselves accountable to this (1 Corinthians 11 has a lot to say in this!). Let us consider the words of Jesus, on the matter:
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. But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.
(Luke 22:14-23)
In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul says whenever we eat or drink this meal, we proclaim the Lord's death until He returns. It is more than proclaiming, though. In this act of worship, we are participating in the breaking of our own flesh, and the renewal of His blood so that we can be set aside as Holy unto God. It's more than a reminiscence, more than a ritual. We are participants in the crucifixion of the flesh that Jesus endured on the cross, not merely in what He has done, but in our own death, burial and resurrection in Him through Baptism, we too are declaring that we are also denying ourselves, picking up our crosses, and following Jesus. We are eating His body, accepting His path, and drinking His blood, becoming new life in Him, that we may share in eternity with Him. It's more than a reflection, it's a lifestyle. Let us, then, come to the table living that life that Jesus died for.
1 Corinthians 10:14-17
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread
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