SCRIPTURE
“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
SPOTLIGHT
Why do we need to take communion? At the last supper Jesus Christ said, “This is My Body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19). Jesus Christ gave believers a clear command to follow regarding what is called, the Lord’s Supper. Sometimes believers do not rank it as high as as the Greatest Commandment and the Great Commission. But all of Jesus Christ’s commands are to be seriously taken and obeyed. WHY DO WE NEED TO REMEMBER?
Paul the Apostle goes to great lengths to teach the Corinthian Christians why they need to celebrate communion (Read 1 Corinthians 11:17-34). Similarly, believers need to be sure they are NOT taking communion out of obligation, because of ritual or, in the wrong way.
WHY DO WE NEED TO REMEMBER? Here are 5 reasons:
1) Because we tend to think life is all about us, and it really is not. Someone explained Christianity this way, “The center of Christianity is not about you, but about Jesus Christ. The purpose of Christianity is not improvement of self, but personally knowing the living God, Jesus Christ. The quest of Christianity is not to be a better person, but to better know who God is, and how you might personally know Him.”
2) Because we quickly forget. Out of sight is often out of mind. We need to be confronted often with the horrific saving death of Jesus Christ. It was our sin that separated us from God. Our sin was the reason our Savior and Lord died on the cross. God took the worst, which was the cross of Jesus Christ and turned it into the best… for you and me. He took the curse, which was how the cross and crucifixion were described, and made it a blessing…for you and me.
3) Because we take things for granted. As Christians, we know that the grace and mercy of God will always be there for us. We need to be reminded how they got there. The cross is the symbol of our death to sin and life in God.
4) Because it is grace alone which God supplies that makes life livable. God’s saving grace is also our strengthening grace. John Newton penned in the second verse of his great hymn, Amazing Grace, “Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come, His grace has brought me safe, thus far, and grace will lead me home.” Kneeling at the foot of the cross was when we, “first saw the Light.”
5) Because we need to reconsider our loyalty to Jesus Christ. The Lordship of Jesus Christ is the key to abundant life (John 10:10). We need to often re-commit ourselves to doing God’s will, God’s way, along with resisting sin, and also identifying with Christ’s mission.
When we come to the communion table, we are “eating and drinking,” at the most important table that we will ever sit at. We must not forget the reasons why we are sitting at Jesus Christ’s remembrance table.
SOMETHING TO DO
The next time that you are going to hold the bread and cup in your hands, you need to take a few moments to ask yourself the question, “Why do I need to remember?” Take a few moments to:
1) Remember life is not all about you...
2) Recall the cross, sin and death…
3) Reverence yourself to God’s grace and mercy…
4) Refill your life with grace and mercy…
5) Reaffirm your loyalty to Jesus Christ and His calling on your life.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I’m asking that you remind me the night before I take communion, to ask myself why I need to take communion. I want to prepare my heart so that I will truly celebrate the fact that You gave Your body, and shed Your blood, so that I might live now and forever more. AMEN.