No. It's not just any of that. It's so much more. It's so much deeper than that.
When I was little, I would listen to the pastor as he would preach and read the same passage whenever we had communion, and to be honest, I didn't think much of it. I didn't have communion at that age, and I didn't understand why not. But now, I do. Because having communion is a way of recognizing what Jesus did for you on the cross. It's saying, "Hey, Jesus. I know what You did for me and I want to thank You. I want to praise You, for what You did for me. I'm thinking of how You bore my sins on the cross." It's remembering what's been done for you.
Yet, when I was a kid, I would watch the body (the bread) and the blood (the juice) and think, "Hmm. There's a nice snack to tide people over till lunchtime. Lucky people." Hey now! Don't go judging my 5 year old way of thinking, okay! I'm sure if you look way deep down, you'll realize that you thought that way too.
I do hope you get that I think differently now! I don't just have communion to have a little morsel to tide me over till lunchtime. I like having communion because I like how it helps me reflect. It helps spark that connection to Jesus' death and resurrection.
I like it because every once in a while, admit it, we all need that swift kick in the Spiritual petunia to remind us that we're not here because of anything we've done. We're here because of what's been done for us.
"This is not about what you've done, But what's been done for you..."
AH-mazing words from the song "You Are More" by Tenth Avenue North. See, communion is a reminder that we're not here, being sons and daughters of God, because we got here all on our own. We're not just here because we did anything like died for our own sins.
We're here because of what God did for us! He sent us the ultimate sacrifice. He sent His own Son to die for our sins so that we could have eternal life. That is what communion is all about! It's acknowledging the gift of life that we've been given! It's acknowledging that Jesus died for our sins and we need to be reminded of that every once in a while to have a consistent relationship with Him.
Admit it: Without communion, our relationship with Him would go slack. We would stop realizing the love that was behind this sacrifice. We'd brush it off easier. And we'd just think it was no big deal. But you know what? It IS a big deal.
That is what communion is. A reminder about what's been done for us to achieve the relationship with God. Jesus DIED on a cross for our sins just so we could have an eternal life and relationship with God. Can you imagine that? He D-I-E-D for us! For a relationship! And we still have a choice??? If my son had to die for all your sins, I'd make you all believe in a flash! I'd say, "I gave up my son for this, and if you don't believe right this instant, SOMEBODY'S GONNA GET HURT REAAAAAL BAD!"
But God doesn't do that. Not only is He a sacrificial being by sacrificing His son, but He's also a God of choices. He GIVES us a choice to follow or not! He sacrifices His son and THEN says, "Oh, hey, by the way, you have a choice." If that's not AH-mazing, I don't know what is.
That shows how loving our Heavenly Father is. So next time you have communion, I hope you truly do remember what a big deal it is.
Communion. It's not just a snack. It's a relationship.
"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." - Matthew 26:26-27
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