Communion Meditation / 04.05.26

When I was a kid, growing up in the church, I always thought communion was kind of fun. It was the one moment when it was perfectly acceptable to eat and drink in the service. And the fact that my favorite flavor fruit juice was served was an added bonus. I loved anything grape. Now, I knew this meal was special, sacred in someway, but I could never understand why there was often a tear in my Dad’s eye when he took it and a look of immense gratitude. I always thought —-why are you crying? They’re finally feeding us! 

But Dad, I finally understand now. It’s because God’s grace is real, Jesus really did come into this world to save sinners. The real Jesus really does love the real you and me. And this meal is reminder of that. I came to see that communion is so much more than a little church snack to tide me over before refreshment time, or just a simple memory. It’s still fun for me but the type of fun you might call joy.

Seeing the bread and cup on the table (symbols of his death) reminds us that Jesus really did die…the facts of his death. But communion is much more than that —it’s eating the bread and drinking from the cup that expresses the purpose of his death. Taking these elements says Jesus didn’t just die, he died for me. That there is someone in this universe who has literally loved me to death, and not just anyone, it’s the risen King. The best friend and Savior this world has ever known.