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)

Remember the Poor

photo by Dorthea Lang

Every time I serve communion I read Paul's warning, “...whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 11:27)

This verse and the call to self-examination that follows are used as opportunities to recommit ourselves to the Christian life; to confess our sins to the Lord and be refreshed and renewed in our faith. On the other hand, the context of the passage indicates more.

Paul opens this passage by rebuking the Corinthians for the careless attitude they displayed in regards to the Lord's Supper. The practice in that day was to gather for a communal meal but, rather than share, some overindulged while others went hungry. (1 Corinthians 11:21)

Paul explains that their error was in failing to take the Body of Christ into account. (1 Corinthians 11:29) In other words, they were ignoring the poor in their midst. This error interfered with their ability to worship and disrupted the unity of the Corinthian church.

We are reminded by this passage to remember the poor among us. Marv Knox, editor of the Baptist Standard, recently asked, “If Baptists are such a big deal in Texas, why are we so behind other states in compassion?” (my paraphrase of his question).

Texas is leading the US in hunger and lack of access to health care. How can that be? Didn't Jesus say he came to proclaim good news to the poor?

As followers of Jesus Christ we must be mindful of the poor in our midst. When we gather to worship, let us celebrate a week of being the hands and feet of Jesus.

The King will reply,

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least

of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Matthew 25:40

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The Lord's Supper: A Symbol of Salvation

Sunday's message: The Lord's Supper: A Symbol of Salvation (1 Corinthians 11:23-29)

The Lord’s Supper reveals the Gospel and offers the opportunity to teach, affirm, accept, recommit and reconcile.

Communion is more than the bread and the cup

The celebration of communion became a deep worship experience for me when I was deployed to Kuwait a few years ago. I could not go to church every Sunday and appreciated every worship opportunity that was provided.

I went to the “contemporary” service first but discovered that, when stripped of its entertainment value a good band and a dynamic preacher, this style of worship left me empty. I went to the liturgical service where the scriptures, litanies and hymns reminded me of the transcendence of God. For a brief period the war was forgotten and I had respite from the burdensome worries that beleaguered me.

The highlight for me was the celebration of communion. Scholars have argued for centuries over the theology of the Lord’s Supper 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.

This Sunday I will be preaching on some of the biblical teachings of this ceremony and will podcast the message on this blog.