Celebrating Holy Communion

 

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” *

A highlight from the trip to Israel that Al and I took in 2010 was the day our tour group visited the Garden Tomb. One of two possible sites of Jesus’ burial and resurrection, the Garden Tomb was a solemn, yet joyful, place to visit.

The tour bus took us to a lush garden outside the ancient wall surrounding Jerusalem. It was a beautiful and tranquil setting, yet solemn with “Skull Hill” rising above it, so named because of indentations in the side of the hill that from a distance resembled the eyes and nose of a human skull.

Looking at that hill as we walked down a pathway leading to a stone outcropping, I was vividly reminded of Jesus’ horrific death at Golgotha, “The Place of the Skull!” (Matthew 27: 33) and subsequent burial in a tomb cut out of the rock.

Al and I stood quietly in a long line of people waiting to go inside the small tomb. Upon coming out of its dark interior into the light, there was a sense of joy, knowing that on the morning of the third day after his crucifixion, the stone was rolled away. The tomb was empty!  

And so, the garden was also a place of joy…celebrating Jesus’ victory over death, and the hope that all who put their trust in him would one day be with him in heaven!

 Before leaving, our group gathered in a circle to celebrate communion. In that special place the meaning of communion was driven home: the bread—Christ’s body, the cup—Christ’s blood, “poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28.)

 Other groups of people were gathered together doing the same thing, people from all nationalities, praying in their native tongues. It was a moving experience, reminding me that we as believers are one body in Christ. Holy Communion, the Eucharist (“celebration of Thanksgiving”) …remembering Jesus’ death as we partake of the elements together.

During the early stages of the Covid pandemic, many of us were isolated at home, unable to attend church services. Being able to meet together for worship suddenly became difficult.

After several months, Al and I began meeting in our backyard with friends from church and neighbors on Saturday mornings. Furnished with the elements by one of our pastors, celebrating communion together in our “Backyard Church” became a cherished time, as did praying and delving into the Bible.

One of those participants, Kris Shields, eventually moved out of state. When she found out that more help was needed serving Holy Communion in her new church, Kris shared that she was elated to sign up.

In a recent email Kris wrote: “Today I serve communion again.  I serve every 3rd Sunday.  I really do enjoy serving communion.  It makes me feel that much more involved in the church and I think about what God did to forgive us our sins.”

A few more comments about communion from other followers of Jesus:

“Connecting with God so that I can have life, real life that never ends. That’s what communion means to me. Most times we nurture our bodies, but not our spirits. Communion is spiritual food for me.” (Pastor Charles)

“Communion is an opportunity to reflect on our faith and the sacrifice Jesus made for our sins, to slow down and give thanks.” (Tom Aubrey)

“Communion—washing away your sins, eating the bread, drinking the blood of Christ.” (Nate Sachs)

“A time when we remember we’re one body, a group of common believers. We do it as a body, like Christ at the last supper, remembering him in his sacrifice.” (Al Lowery)

Jesus died for us. Are we willing to live for him?

“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.” (1 Corinthians 11: 23-26 NIV)

*Ephesians 1:7 ESV