Communion

What is the Christian ceremony of Communion? What is the meaning of the bread and wine at the Lord’s supper?

What does the Bible say about communion? -

1. Last Supper - Matthew 26v26-29
2. New Covenant - Jeremiah 31v31-34
3. Announce Jesus' death - 1 Corinthians 11v23-26
4. Spiritual Food - John 6v35 & 53-58

Last Supper

Matthew 26v26-29

As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body.”
And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many. Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.”

Questions for reflection or discussion

1. How does Jesus describe the bread and wine?
2. What does Jesus say about the purpose of the bread and wine?
3. What are you affirming when you eat or drink this bread and wine?

Thoughts to consider

Jesus relates the bread and the wine to his body and blood which the next day would be sacrificed on the cross. At the act of eating or drinking one has participated. Like signing a covenant. One affirms one’s commitment.

New Covenant

Jeremiah 31v31-34

“The day is coming,” says the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the LORD.
“But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the LORD. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the LORD.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the LORD. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”

Questions for reflection or discussion

4. What was wrong with the previous covenant that God made with the people of Israel?
5. What does God commit to do for his people in the new covenant?
6. What do you think it means that God has put his instructions in us and that we know him?

Thoughts to consider

This passage, along with others in Ezekiel and Isaiah written 600 years before Jesus, announces the new Covenant between God and man. The previous covenant was introduced through Moses with animal sacrifices. This covenant was introduced through Jesus' death – the breaking of his body and the pouring out of his blood on the cross.

Announce Jesus' death

1 Corinthians 11v23-26

For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.

Questions for reflection or discussion

5. What purpose is given here for the bread and for the wine?
6. Why is it important to remember Jesus and to announce his death?

Thoughts to consider

Jesus’ way is not just a self-help programme or inspirational example. His death was the sacrifice that buys us life. So, communion affirms that we need Jesus and that we are participants with him in this life.

Spiritual Food

John 6v35 & 53-58

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” ...
“I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.”

Questions for reflection or discussion

7. What statements does Jesus make about the spiritual food of his body and blood?
8. What does Jesus say we must do in order not to be hungry or thirsty?
9. What does it mean practically to feed on Jesus?

Thoughts to consider

Jesus offers to us access to the life in him. This happens as we come to him and believe, this is equated to feeding on him. Different groups of Christian’s emphasis varying spiritualities to receive more of Jesus. For some Communion is perceived as literally receiving Jesus and is their main means.

Overview questions for reflection or discussion

1. How do we show value to Jesus by having a special meal with him?
2. How do we show our union with others by having a special meal with them along with Jesus?

Thoughts to consider

The bread and wine being the body and blood of Christ is seen by some as symbolic and others as literal. The central point is that we are participating with Jesus in his life. The act of receiving shows our participation.

Photo Credit

Photo by James Coleman on Unsplash