In my church, we have recently been practicing the sacrament of communion much more frequently. I like that. I think Jesus likes that. After all, he did say, “as often as you do this, do it in remembrance of me.” It sounds to me like he would prefer that we do it often as opposed to seldom.
I remember as a child, sitting in the church pew watching my mother and other church members eating the little cracker and drinking the grape juice, wishing I could join in too, but I couldn’t. I wasn’t allowed to because I had not yet made a “profession of faith.” That happened when you walked down the church aisle, shook the preacher’s hand, and repeated the “sinner’s prayer”, and instantly became a member of the church.
As I reflect back on that time, I think my wishing I could partake was actually Jesus beckoning me to join him in this meal and to partake of him. Of course, that does sound like something he would do. After all, he is known for his willingness to sit down to a meal with all kinds of people.
As I told you a couple of blogs ago, I recently been experiencing a renewed and rejuvenated prayer life. In my morning prayer, there is a point somewhere in the middle of it when I become quiet for a little while and wait for him to speak, show me something, or maybe just to feel his love wrap around me. Some call it contemplative prayer. Brian Zahnd calls it “sitting with Jesus.” That’s what I’m calling it too. It has become my favorite part of morning prayer.
On Christmas morning, while sitting with Jesus, no sooner had I closed my eyes when I saw Jesus seated at the table with his disciples. He looked at me and held out the bread and wine. I heard him say, “this coming year, you will truly begin to understand what it means to eat my flesh and drink my blood.” That may sound rather morbid to you if you’re not familiar with the scripture in John 6 where Jesus actually talks about eating his flesh and drinking his blood.
Of course, we know it’s all really just symbolism, right? Or, is it? Well, apparently those who heard him say it at the time knew it was more than just symbolism –
From that time many of his disciples went back and walked with him no more.
(John 6:66)
I have already experienced the presence of God in a more powerful way each time I have received communion this new year. There is something very real taking place.
Most of my life, I’ve heard it said that the bread and wine are merely symbols of the body and blood of our Lord. Then, of course, there were the words inscribed on the table in front of most traditional pulpits – This Do In Remembrance of Me.
Over 2000 years ago, the disciples sat with Jesus in the upper room and shared in that meal. For Christians, the disciples who sat in the upper room with Jesus and shared in that meal are us.
When we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we are doing it in remembrance.
“That doesn’t mean just ‘remembering’ Jesus and his death. We do not simply recall the events of Calvary with our minds and hearts in faith and love and awe—though we should certainly do that every time we come to Jesus’ table. It means that somehow Jesus is present; that his one-off death is made contemporary with us. The unique past event rushes forward to accompany us on our journey.”
N.T. Wright, The Meal Jesus Gave Us: Understanding Holy Communion
There is so much more that can be said about this topic and surely so much more for me to learn. I have a sneaking suspicion I’ll be learning a good portion of it as I experience it. He invites you and me to the table where he is present. This is one of those places where heaven meets earth, where his will is done on earth as it is in heaven.
He has invited me to the table. I look forward to our next meal together.
This is dining at it’s finest!
Enjoying his table,
Kevin