Introduction

In 1 Corinthians 10:16, the apostle Paul wrote, "Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?"

Imagine a beautiful scene with me. The King of heaven and earth has prepared a feast in honor of His Son. We have been invited to sit at the table and commune with Christ. As we look around, we see our fellow believers, loved by God, joining us in this sacred gathering. Jesus Christ, our Savior, is ready to receive us as guests and honor us as friends. He has prepared a feast before us.

The Meaning of Communion

The word "communion" comes from the Greek word "koinonia," which means partnership, participation, fellowship, or oneness. When we partake in communion, we are joining together with Christ and with one another. We become one with Him and with our fellow believers.

The Lord's Supper in Scripture

While the Lord's Supper was a new practice for the early Christians, the concept of eating and drinking in the presence of God was not. In Exodus 24:9-11, Moses and the elders of Israel saw God and ate and drank in His presence. In Deuteronomy 14:22-23; 26, God commanded the people of Israel to eat before Him as an act of worship. These meals were a partial restoration of the fellowship with God that Adam and Eve enjoyed before sin entered the world.

The Lord's Supper as Communion

The Lord's Supper is a symbolic representation of the feast that God has prepared for His people. It is a time of communion, where we come together as one body to remember and honor Christ's sacrifice for us. When we partake in the Lord's Supper, we are not just eating bread and drinking wine, but we are communing with the King of Glory who suffered and died for us.

Implications of Communion

1. The King decides who is invited: The Lord's Supper is a special feast for the church, and it is intended for those who are members of the church. It is not meant to exclude or diminish the value of others, but rather to create a unique time of communion for the church family.

2. The King deserves honor: When we come to the Lord's table, we need to examine ourselves, confess any known sin, surrender our lives to God, and express gratitude for His sacrifice. We must approach the Lord's Supper with reverence and gratitude, recognizing the significance of Christ's sacrifice for us.

Conclusion

The Lord's Supper is a time of communion with Christ and with our fellow believers. It is a sacred gathering where we remember and honor Christ's sacrifice for us. As we partake in the bread and the cup, let us do so with hearts full of gratitude and reverence. May we never forget the significance of this feast and the privilege we have to commune with the King of Glory.

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