A very important ancient practice for disciples is regular participation in the Lord’s Supper. This sacred meal is known by a number of terms including breaking bread, the table of the Lord, communion, and the Eucharist (which means thanksgiving). Jesus instituted this practice when eating with his disciples just before his death (see Matt.26:26-29. Mark 14:22-25. Luke 22:15-20). Luke shows how the first disciples carried out the instructions of Jesus as they broke bread together regularly (Acts 2:42, 46; 20:7, 11. Luke 24:19, 30). This practice was originally associated with a meal (Luke 22:20. 1 Cor.11:25) but later became a separate celebration. Paul also commented on the Lord’s Supper when writing to the church at Corinth (1 Cor.11:23-26).
Six Dimensions of the Sacred Meal
Partaking in communion is not merely a religious exercise or tradition. It is intended to be a meaningful experience of God and His will for our lives, both personally and as a community of Christ-followers. We must not allow the routine of partaking of communion regularly turn it into a ritual rather than the significant celebration that Jesus intended for it to be. One helpful way to ensure that we retain the meaning of this sacred meal is to explore the breadth of its meaning. As we partake, we should look in at least six directions.
1. Look Backward. In the Lord’s Supper we look backwards to the redemptive work that Jesus accomplished through his death on the cross. His death was not an accident or that of a martyr. His death was a substitutionary one in that he took our place and paid the price for our sins once and for all so that we could be forgiven. This was a complete act of grace and not because of any goodness or merit on our behalf. We can now rest in the finished work of Jesus on the cross knowing that he has done everything that needs to be done for us to be right with God. He suffered for us. His body was broken and His blood was split for our salvation. Communion is a powerful reminder of this foundation of our faith, which is in the finished work of the cross of Jesus Christ. The cross is central to the Christian faith (Gal.6:14. Col.1:20). It may seem foolishness to those who do not believe but may it never be foolishness to the contemporary church (1 Cor.1:18). May we never forget the sacrificial gift of Christ’s life for us!
2. Look Forward. Communion is much more than a morbid recalling of the passion. Believers “proclaim the Lord’s death till he comes (1 Cor.11:26).” In the Lord’s Supper we look forward to the time when the kingdom will come in full and we will enjoy personal fellowship with Jesus in a celebration meal together. We look forward with confidence each day knowing that our future is secure, whether we live or die. We look forward with joy at his return to earth to right all wrongs and to deliver us from sin and death. We also understand that there will be a day of account where we will be rewarded for the works we have done in this life. Finally, we look forward to a new heavens and a new earth – whether there will be no more sorrow, crying, pain or death (Rev.21:1-4). This accounts for the joy and gladness of heart in which the communion was celebrated (Acts 2:46).
3. Look Inward. Paul reminds us that the celebration of communion is also an important time of self-examination. Those who live in blatant sin when approaching the table are guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord (1 Cor.11:27-28). Communion times can be important occasions of looking inward at one’s heart and holding oneself personally accountable before God. The original Lord’s Supper was partaken of in the context of betrayal and denial. This should serve as a warning to us and a sober reminder to take heed lest we fall. Paul says that some become weak, sick and even die because of not handling this dimension of communion properly (1 Cor.11: 29-30). No doubt, Jesus’ teaching about reconciliation applies here (Matt.5:23-24).
4. Look Upward. The Lord’s Supper also looks upward as we remember that Jesus’ death on the cross and burial in the tomb was not the end of the story. His resurrection seals the fact that Jesus is the Son of God and that his death accomplished our full salvation. We now look up with conviction and joy knowing that the Savior lives and that He is seated at the right hand with the Father interceding for us (Heb.7:25). Jesus is alive! His resurrection is the foundation of our faith and the assurance that we too have been raised from the dead with him to walk in the power of a new life. We are citizens of a new kingdom. We seek for his will to be done and for his kingdom to come in all its fullness.
5. Look Around. Communion is also a time to reinforce the communal nature of this sacred meal. In John’s description of this time in Jesus’ life he includes the well-known story of Jesus taking on the role of a servant by washing the disciples feet (John 13:3-16). It was a powerful reminder of the calling we have to serve one another (Matt.20:20-28). That same evening Peter boastfully declared that he would never deny Jesus, even if the others did. This self-deceptive pride set him up for certain failure. Without others we can so easily fall away. We need each other’s friendship, encouragement, and accountability to stay faithful as we follow Jesus together. Communion is a time to look around and remind ourselves that we need each other. We are one body in Christ, regardless of differences.
6. Look Outward. Finally, there is an outward dimension to the Lord’s Supper. As Paul reflects on the communion, he reminds us that as we partake we “proclaim the Lord’s death” until he comes (1 Cor.11:26). We live in a world where people need to know the good news that Jesus has provided salvation from our sins through his death on the cross. Communion is a time to remind ourselves of those who haven’t heard or responded to this message. As we go from the table, we go with renewed commitment to pray, to love, and to share the good news of Jesus with others as we have opportunity.
As we can see, there is rich and deep meaning to this ancient practice. At communion we are to look backward (to Christ’s death), look forward (to Christ’s return), look inward (in self-examination), look upward (fellowship with God), look around (fellowship with each other), and look outward (to proclaim God’s word to others). May we all experience more and more of God’s amazing love for us as we celebrate communion together.
Sample Discussion Questions
- Which direction do you find most meaningful or easiest to look when taking communion?
- Which direction is new to you or something you haven’t thought much about?
- Discuss the symbolic meaning of the bread and the cup in communion.
- In the Old Testament, the entire family partook of the Passover meal together, including the children. What implication does this have for whether children should partake of communion or not today?
- Have a sharing time about what communion means to each person. Pray for each other and then partake of communion together.
Thanks for the excellent devotional on the Sacred Meal, Mark. Just thought I’d share a few additional thoughts through a story below:
Once upon a time in a distant land, a long time ago, there lived a young grain of wheat that had big dreams and ambitions. It said, “When I grow up, I want to be important and live a life of significance, to make a difference in the world, to touch hearts and change lives for the better.”
Then an elderly grain of wheat said to this young one, “Do you have what it takes to become that grain of wheat?
First, you must be plucked from the other grains and separated from your family and friends whom you love so dearly. Then you must die to yourself and be planted and buried in a dark and damp tomb in the ground.
Many days later, you will sprout from the ground, but only to have to stand day after day under the hot and burning sun, and time after time in the cold and wet rain. When you have ripened, the farmer will put a knife to your throat and you will be cut down at the stalk in your prime of life.
The farmer will then beat you and thresh you so hard that your beloved grains will be forced apart from you. Then they will be rubbed together and it will be so painful that your very heart will be exposed as your outer husks fall off and are blown away in the wind.
All your precious grains will then be crushed under the mill stone and ground up into fine powder, so fine that even your friends will not be able to recognise them.
After you have been sifted through the fine holes of the sieve, you will be kneaded and moulded by the hands of your Master and He will change your shape and form according to His will and pattern.
Then you will be put into a burning oven, hotter than being out in the sun. It will be so hot that you will turn brown and cook. But your Master will not let you burn. And once you have cooled down, you will be cut with the knife and torn apart by human hands at the table.
And your one small life that previously seemed so unimportant and insignificant, will feed many others. It will touch hearts, give nourishment and bring new life to countless. And your children, and your children’s children will bring new hope and love to many to come.
Are you still willing to start this journey and take this path?”
Jesus, on the night that He was betrayed, took the bread, gave thanks, and broke it saying, “This is my body given for you.”
Let us always remember all that He went through, so that He could bring us new life and hope. Even now, He calls us to follow Him.