Eyes That See

But love—perfect love that sees Lazarus and moves toward him with grace.

4. Communion: Seeing Clearly at Christ’s Table

We’ve spent this morning listening to Jesus tell a story about seeing and not seeing—about wealth that blinded, suffering that was overlooked, and grace that still calls to us today.

Now we come to the table.

And here, more than anywhere else, we are invited to see clearly.

This meal isn’t just a tradition or a closing act.

Communion is where our spiritual eyes are opened—to the depth of Christ’s compassion, to the cost of our redemption, and to the call He places on our lives.

At this table, we don’t just remember Jesus’ death—we encounter His living presence. We remember not only that Christ saw us in our need, but that He came to us, laid down His life for us, and now sends us to do the same for others.

As the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26:

“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 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 same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’

For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

As Nazarenes, we believe communion is more than a symbol—it is a sacrament, a means of grace. And in this grace, God restores our vision. He sharpens our hearts. He prepares us to live with eyes wide open to the Lazaruses at our gates.

So as we come to this table, we come with three things in our hands:

Our Need – Just as Lazarus depended on God’s mercy, so do we.

Our Call – To share that mercy with others, especially those the world ignores.

Our Hope – That through Christ’s sacrifice, not just our lives, but this broken world, can be healed.

Distribution of the Elements

Invitation to the Lord’s Table

So come—

All who hunger and thirst for the grace of God.

All who long to see others with the eyes of Jesus.

All who are ready to be reshaped by love.

Come with humility, come with hope.

Here, at Christ’s table, we meet the Savior who sees us clearly—and calls us by name.

Prayer of Consecration

Heavenly Father,

Pour out your Holy Spirit on these elements of bread and cup.

May they be for us the body and blood of Christ,

That we might be renewed, transformed, and empowered by Your compassion.

Give us, Lord, eyes that see—not just bread and cup,

But Your love poured out for us and through us.

Shape our hearts to love as Jesus loves.

Send us out from this table ready to serve the Lazaruses waiting at our gates.

We ask this in the strong name of Jesus, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

The Bread:

“The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, broken for you, preserve you blameless unto everlasting life.

Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and be thankful.”

The Cup:

“The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, shed for you, preserve you blameless unto everlasting life.