Bread & Wine….Often!

As a young Christian what struck me, when my church took Communion, was God’s judgment. I was taught that unless I confessed all of my sins before taking, I could bring death upon myself. Seriously. It was the worst day to go to church. Everyone was so sad and beat up.

So, I would take the allotted time to “reflect” and “examine” myself and try to remember all the things I’d done wrong since the last Communion. I learned to dread the Sunday’s that Communion was taken, I’d even try to avoid church or have other activities that day. That carried into my adult years’ as well. Never was I told to “reflect” on Jesus’ sacrifice for me or that I should “examine” myself through the blood of Jesus! Never!

I think Christians still have the same fear today. Some Christians wonder if they can partake when they are not baptized, others are unsure if they need to attend a class, and some believe that they can die if they take it improperly! My search over the years’ has led me to see the true meaning behind Communion. Communion is not a ritual to be observed, but a blessing to be received. It’s a blessing of health, wholeness and forgiveness! And Jesus gave us a way to remember that…often!

When you hold the bread you are remembering that Jesus was beaten, bruised and broken so that you can be whole. And when you take the bread you celebrate and release your faith to receive Jesus’ health and wholeness in exchange for your sickness and disease.

Likewise, when you take the wine, you should be reminded that Jesus’ shed blood makes you forever righteous, holy and blameless. You are remembering that you have perfect standing before God.

My prayer is that people will take Communion often, as scripture suggests, and remember all the amazing things that were done for us all.

1 Corinthians 11:25-26 – “In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.”