Read:
Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Reflect:
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Acts 2:42)
Every since the beginning of the church the breaking of bread (Communion) has been a
central practice of Christian devotion. It was instituted by Jesus (see Matthew 26:26-29), and became regular Christian practice right after Pentecost. Though it has been observed in many different ways and with various understandings, at its core it is a remembrance and celebration of Jesus’ self-sacrificing death for the forgiveness of our sins. So we reflect on its meaning and significance in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 where Paul deals with the proper observance of the Lord’s supper in a church setting where abuses had crept in.
Communion is a sacred and holy meal. In its symbolism and significance it far surpasses our participation in everyday meals. It points to much deeper realities than the kind of friendship we share with others over coffee and donuts. When we eat the bread and drink the cup we are, in spirit, fellowshipping with the Savior who died for us. Any disregard of this reality is an offence against, and profaning of the body and blood of the Lord (v 27). Paul points out at least two problems in the way the Corinthians were observing the Lord’s supper. One was division in the body, which took the form of the rich monopolizing the accompanying fellowship meal and humiliating the poor by restricting their access to food (vv 17-22). The other was a lack of proper preparation for communion by failing to examine themselves, and assuming they had a right to the table over others (vv 27-34). Such unworthy behavior put them in jeopardy of various forms of God’s judgment.
As Paul reviews the true nature of communion (vv 23-26) there are a number of important matters we must recognize. The first is that we are all equal at the table. None of us qualify in ourselves to be there, since we are all sinners in need of saving. We are there by invitation from the Savior who gave his life for us, and in whom we have placed our trust for redemption. This is true of every believer; whether rich or poor, wise or stumbling, educated or ignorant, young or old. The penitent and believing are equally welcome to participate.
Communion is a time to remember Jesus, particularly in what he has done in our place. When we eat the bread we recall that his body was broken in death for us. The death we should have died he died for us. When we drink the cup we are reminded that a new covenant was established through his shed blood. This new arrangement is entirely based on God’s grace through which we have been transformed into a new creation.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
We should never tire of remembering Jesus, our Savior with gratitude and worship.
The Lord’s supper is also a proclamation of the Lord’s death and all that it means (v 26).
Everyone who participates in it is bearing witness and declaring publicly that Jesus’ death was for them, and at the same time is an invitation for anyone else who wishes to receive it. And so we continue observing the Lord’s supper as we keep on waiting until he comes (v 26). Then we will observe it anew with him in his Father’s kingdom (Matthew 26:29).
Respond:
So when we come to the communion table let us examine our hearts and pray with the Psalmist:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23-24)