The Importance of Communion

This evening while reading through a very short book  titled, The Heart of Love: Obeying God's Two Great Commandments which was written by my theology professor, Ted Rivera, I was reminded of the importance of communion.

As I was reading through this and being reminded of the importance of communion, two things struck me: 1) I haven't partaken in communion a great deal as a Christian, and 2) It's mostly because I, and most of the churches that I have attended has unfortunately had a bad theology of communion.

My bad theology of communion was perpetuated mostly by my own selfishness. Often I felt that communion was about my own holiness. But, Rivera rightly points out communion isn't about me, or you, or even us as a whole. Ultimately, communion begins with our love of Christ and His holiness, and a remembrance of His broken body, and His blood that was poured out for our sins.

Rivera rightly states, "communion provides us with a regular opportunity to evaluate our relationship with God: 'Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink of the cup' (1 Cor 11:28). All of us sin. The purpose behind this self-examination is not intended to help us determine whether we have earned the right to participate in communion because we have been particularly obedient of late. Instead as we examine ourselves -- and see our sins, our failings, and our short comings all to easily -- we are compelled to remember our great, cavernous need for Jesus. So also we are compelled to remember the Bible's call to holiness and obedience, the fruit of a life of love. . . It's important for us to recognize every time we take communion together that we are declaring to our Lord and to one another that, indeed, we are sinners saved by grace. Even the apostle John, known throughout history as the beloved disciple, wrote, 'If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us' (1 John 1:8). Whenever we remember Jesus and his titanic sacrifice on our behalf, we cannot help but examine ourselves and be reminded of how great our need was for that saving work. This surely brings forth love toward God in the believers heart!" [1].

Communion is very important in the life of a believer. It's main purpose is to see in the bread the broken body of our Lord, and in the wine, the blood that was poured out to satisfy the wrath of God against our sins. Jesus said, "whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him" (John 6:56). If we long for intimacy with Christ, we should anticipate and prepare for the Lord's Table.

Bibliography: 

[1] The Heart of Love: Obeying God's Two Great Commandments by Ted Rivera