Both of my girls are known for giving very thoughtful gifts! This Christmas, Sarah gave me a necklace with a bar on it. Inscribed on the bar was, “I love you” written in my father’s handwriting. Dad died in 2011. He had horrible handwriting and it was always a joke among us. She had gotten a sample of his writing from a letter he had written me. Needless to say, this is a very special gift. Most precious and memorable gifts are those that have been thought through. Oftentimes, they come at a high cost, whether financially or in time spent. It meets a specific need or desire. When we think about this gift we are reminded of the joy it brings us and the sacrifice of the giver.
No gift says, “I love you” like Jesus’ gift of Salvation when we celebrate Holy Communion. Jesus gave up His life, no one took it from Him. It was a gift to us from Him. A gift! John 10: 18, “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” He knew He was born to die and knew how He would die.
In the beginning of this social distancing if you would have asked me what I miss most about church I would have said the communion with fellow believers including my church friends, Sunday school class, small groups, staff, etc. These times of fellowship are important and the Bible calls us to fellowship with other believers. I miss our Wednesday night suppers where we were able to hug, visit, laugh and eat together. As time has gone on I have to add communion, the Sacrament of Holy Communion. My heart hungers for that! I miss having Supper with my church family, the Supper that Jesus gives us. The Supper where we confess our sins, together and we proclaim, together, the gospel. We experience Jesus in our midst. This is the most special gift that says, “I love you.” I think this is one more way God is going to use this time for those of us not getting to attend church in our church buildings.
We celebrate Holy Communion to remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world. We partake in the bread and the juice in honor of Jesus. We confess our sins in order to allow ourselves to be in communion with God. Jesus explained that this meal represents a new covenant between God and His people. Mark 14: 24, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them.” Before Jesus’ death, Jews sacrificed animals at the temple to pay for their sin. Jesus’ blood paid the penalty for sin, once and for all and that is why we celebrate Holy Communion.
For me, there is something special about getting up from my seat and going to the Altar that puts me in the spirit of dedication. 1 Corinthians 11: 24, “...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 Apostle Paul’s letter to the church, he writes in verse 26, “Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” God knows our hearts and the way the enemy attacks so He wants us to keep remembering Holy Communion. Luke 22: 19, In Luke’s version, Jesus tells the disciples, “do this in remembrance of me.”
Romans 8: 1, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”. Let us remember that every time we take communion with the body of Christ. Surely, this is the best gift you have ever accepted! Looking forward to the day of our communion and Communion!