Celebrating Communion at home

Also known as the Lord's Supper and the Eucharist, scholars have argued for centuries over the theology of communion but all agree that it is important. Most of us understand that there is something more than just the bread and wine present during this ritual instituted by our Lord.

Communion is rooted in the celebration of Passover, commemorating God's rescue of Israel from slavery in Egypt. It was while celebrating Passover with the Apostles, that Jesus, on the night of His betrayal, passed the bread and the cup around and said, “do this in remembrance of me.”

Jesus changed the purpose of the celebration. Now, instead of the ritual slaughter of a lamb, Jesus would offer himself as the final and perfect atonement for our sin. Like the rescue of Israel from bondage in Egypt, Jesus rescued us from bondage to sin.

Jesus never asked his followers to remember his birth. He did instruct us to remember his death and resurrection. Communion is a powerful dramatization of the gospel, using all of our senses.

Passover was celebrated in the home. It was an intimate celebration. It is appropriate, today, to celebrate communion in small groups at home, even if it's just family. Especially during this time when church gatherings are ill advised and we approach Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

All you need is bread and grape juice or wine. Reading this Bible passage would be appropriate but many others would work as well

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: 

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, 

took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 

“This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 

In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying,

 “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; 

do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, 

you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

I Corinthians 11:23-26 (NIV)

Indifference

And they crucified him.
Dividing up his clothes,
they cast lots
to see what each would get.
Mark 15:24

The soldiers at the foot of the cross were at the scene of the most significant event in all of history, but they missed it. They were close to the cross, but far from Christ.
 
Familiarity made them indifferent. Soldiers performed many crucifixions. It was just another day at the office. Has familiarity caused the cross to lose it's impact today? We see crosses everywhere; on top of buildings, on tomb stones, tee shirts, on our jewelry. Given enough time, everything will be taken for granted; no matter how valuable.

We took the old rugged cross and polished it to make it shiny turning an instrument of execution into a fashion statement. However, displaying the cross is not the same as being transformed by it.

Materialism made them indifferent. The soldiers wanted Jesus’ clothes. It was part of their benefit package. There is nothing wrong with working and making a living but the soldiers were so busy gambling for Jesus' clothes that they never looked up to see the savior of the world.

Busyness made them indifferent. The soldiers were too busy to notice whom they were crucifying. We can be close to the cross but too busy to notice. Even good deeds become bad if they distract us from God. Jesus told of man who was beaten, robbed and left naked and unconscious by the road. Two ministers passed by the man without rendering aid. They were busy.

People who get used to going through the motions of serving God can fall asleep spiritually.

The Unexpected Cross

Mark 15:21

Simon was in Jerusalem for Passover. He traveled a long way to fulfill lifetime dream but things did not turn out the way he expected. “And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear [Jesus'] cross.” (Mark 15:21)

Jesus was exhausted and the soldiers had the right to compel anyone to carry a load for a mile. Simon just happened to be in the right place at the right time. God had a divine appointment with Simon that day.

Simon's divine appointment had an eternal impact. Until that moment Simon had just been a nameless bystander but, once he carried Christ’s cross, his life changed. We can never encounter the cross and remain unchanged. If we accept Christ, we are transformed, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Simon of Cyrene's encounter with Jesus transformed him and his family. Mark names Simon's sons, Alexander and Rufus, because they were known to early readers of his gospel. Paul gives a shout out to Rufus in his letter to the Romans, “Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.” (Romans 16:13)

Simon took the Gospel back to Cyrene where he led both his family and the Jewish community to Christ. Lucius of Cyrene was one of the founders of the church in Antioch. (Acts 13:1)

Like Simon, you might encounter God unexpectedly. Most things we long for never happen but the greatest joys can come unexpectedly and, sometimes, disguised as hardship.

When Simon took up the cross, he left a legacy for the church. Simon was changed forever by one simple act. Join Simon in carrying the cross of Christ.

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