Communion = partnership, fellowship, sharer, Lord’s supper
Communion is not just a religious exercise. Religion tells us we must be right (without
sin) when we take communion or we bring damnation on ourselves (I Cor 11:29), but
the truth is we are to discern (understand, consider, regard, acknowledge, discover,
judge, examine, prove, try) what Jesus did as His death, burial and resurrection. We
are to remember that Jesus took all of our sins, on the cross, and in Isaiah 53 we read
what Jesus did. (Isa 53:3-5,10) He (Jesus) borne (took) our grief, (sickness) and
carried our sorrows (pain). He was wounded for our transgression (sins) He was
bruised for our iniquities (fault) the punishment to bring us peace was upon Him, and
with His stripes (Jesus was beaten with 39 lashes) we are healed (Now). Jesus’ body
was broken so our body could be whole. His blood was shed to cleanse all our sins. As
often as we receive communion we renew our minds, remembering what Jesus did for
us.
The Greek word for “communion” has the meaning of “fellowship, participating, and
sharing.” From the context it appears that Paul is saying that when Christians partake
of the cup and the bread, they are participating in the benefits of Christ’s death
(referred to as His blood) and resurrection life. (His glorified body). The most important
of these benefits are the assurance of sins forgiven (through Christ’s blood) and the
assurance of Christ’s presence and power (through His body), Jesus the “bread of life”
(John 6:35), is eaten by all believers at the Supper, symbolizing their unity and common
participation in the one body of Christ. The great discourse of Jesus on the bread of
life (John 6:25-68) while not intended to be a direct theological explanation of the Lord’s
supper, helps to explain how receiving the Eucharist can be one way in which Christians
“feed” on the Lord. (John 6:55-57).
The ritualistic practice usually during a worship service in which Christians partake of
bread and wine, with the purpose of remembering Christ, receiving strength from Him,
and rededicating themselves to His cause. It is one of two sacraments or ordinances
instituted by Christ to be observed by His church until He returns; when Jesus said
“This is My body” and “This is My blood of the covenant” while distributing the bread
and the cup, He did something totally new. When we drink the cup we are entering into
covenant with God. Everything He has is ours, and everything we have is His. These
words, which were intended for our blessing, have been the focus of sharp
disagreement. The Lord’s supper is primarily a memorial ceremony of Christ’s finished
work, but that it is also to be an occasion when God’s people pledge their unity with one
another and their loyalty to Christ. When the Word of God is proclaimed and the Lord’s
Supper is received, the glorified Christ actually gives spiritual nourishment from His
own glorified body to those who receive it. The bread nourishes the physical body, so
Christ’s glorified body enlivens the soul. Because of the organic union between Christ,
the risen Head, and the members of His body, the church, this nourishment is conveyed
to Christians by the Spirit, who dwells in them (Rom 8:9-11).
Communion is like the daily sacrifice. The Priest examined the sacrifice and not the
people. Jesus as the Lamb of God cleans us from all sin, weakness. Communion
keeps Jesus’ sacrifice in front of our minds, and brings an element of our trust to a
higher level. Thereby we can become fully persuaded, of what He promises us.
As we remember what Jesus did at the cross, our love and passion becomes intense.
Communion takes us back to the Garden. God’s plan (Gen 3:15). Jesus likened
Himself to the manna in the wilderness. Remember the Jews in the wilderness (Ps 105:
37) “there was not one feeble person among their tribes. Ps 23:5 says “He prepares a
table…”
The early church walked in great power, because they daily partook of communion
(Acts 2:42,46). Communion cause us to rise up in holy indignation and to take back
what the devil stole. Communion is a way of renewing our mind, as we discern what
Jesus has already done our passion grows. Religion tells us that God will, but the Bible
says that God has already done it. Religion has made the Word of God of non effect.
As we set out sights in the future, we are not able to receive, because faith is now!
The Lord’s Supper is a time of remembrance. Jesus said, “do this in remembrance of
Me.” The Eucharist is to be an occasion for expressing our deepest praise and
appreciation for all Jesus Christ has done for us. Just as one step in the Jewish
Passover meal was to proclaim the Hebrews’ deliverance from Egyptian bondage (Ex 12:
26-27), so in the Supper Christians proclaim their deliverance from sin and misery
through the “death of Christ, our Passover” (I Cor 5:7).
Second, the Supper is a time of refreshing and communion. As we participate in the
benefits of Jesus’ death and resurrection life. (Rom 5:10) we are actually being
nourished and empowered from the risen Christ through the Spirit.
Third, the Supper is a time of recommitment and anticipation. We are to examine
(literally “prove” or “test”) ourselves and partake in a worthy manner (I Cor 11:28-29).
In so doing we renew our dedication to Christ and His people, in hopeful anticipation “till
He comes.
How to judge yourself?
1. Discern what Jesus did for you upon the cross (Isa 53:3-5,10)
2. You discern in the earth, the body as one and not be at odds with anyone. Walk
in love! Even with yourself, cause you are to love your neighbor as you love yourself.
The devil will try to get you into strife.
As we judge ourselves and focus on what Jesus did, we step out of our self-
righteousness into the realm of receiving.