Communion: The sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially on a mental or spiritual level.
Easter is around the corner, and in preparation, some of you may be observing Lent while others may be participating in evangelistic dramatic plays depicting the Easter story. Some of you may have begun sharing the Easter story with your children at bedtime, while others of you may be planning family gatherings to properly commemorate the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Whatever ways you have decided to reflect and prepare before the celebrations of Easter, I would like to add to your arsenal somewhat of a reminder. A reminder of the fact that you were once an enemy of God who has now been made His child, who is called into continual communion with Him boasting the promise that nothing can ever separate you from His love.
This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. ~ Colossians 1:21
When I hear the word communion, the first thing that pops into my mind is the Lord’s Supper. The wine and the bread with their symbolic connotation, and the Passover Lamb, by whose sacrifice forgiveness of sins, redemption, wholeness and healing are made available to a sinner such as myself. While this is all true, limiting our definition of communion with God to simply the Lord’s Supper would be a blatant disregard for the entire finished work of our Lord Jesus upon that rugged cross.
“He took bread and gave thanks. Then he distributed it to the disciples and said, “Take it and eat your fill. It is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.” He did the same with the cup of wine after supper and said, “This cup seals the new covenant with my blood. Drink it and whenever you drink this, do it to remember me.” ~ 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 (TPT)
When communion is observed during church service, we hear these verses of scripture read. They remind us of the true meaning of communion and Jesus’ instruction that we are to observe it in remembrance of Him.
As former enemies of God, taking communion and purposefully remembering Jesus and all He did for us through His death is very sentimental, especially during Easter. But communion is meant to be more than just a sentimental ritual or an opportunity to reflect on the bloodshed and the broken body of Jesus on our behalf. Communion reminds us of the opportunity we now have, to share and exchange intimate thoughts and feelings with our God and our Father, mind to mind and spirit to spirit.
“So if while we were still enemies, God fully reconciled us to himself through the death of his Son, then something greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, and because we share in his resurrection life, how much more we will be rescued from sin’s dominion!” Romans 5:10 (TPT)
The cross was just the beginning but communion is ongoing. More than the emblems of the Lord’s Supper, communion is every day we get to experience as children of God because of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
As you continue to reflect on the miracle that converted you from being enemies of God to His beloved children, I encourage you to think about this:
Communion is friendship. Jesus did not die just so we could receive salvation but for our entire lives, on this side of heaven, we stand outside watching God from the window, scared to approach Him. Not only is that creepy, but it is also less than what He intended for us. He wants fellowship and intimacy with you. He wants to share dreams plans and love with you. He wants to be your closest friend and He hung on the cross so that option could be on the table.
Communion is confidence in your place with Him. Like any true friend, you never have to wonder where you stand with God. Once you receive salvation, you belong to Him, period. While the consequences of our sins are real, they cannot snatch us from the hand of God. Our confidence in Him will fuel the grace we require to resist temptation.
Communion is compatibility. While the Lord takes us as we are, He loves us enough to walk us along His redemptive path. Things like renewing our minds to reflect His thoughts, casting aside ensnaring weights, and changing our beliefs to match His Word are all part of this path to everlasting life. The more we commune with Him, the more we become like Him. He sands away at our jagged edges and prunes our overgrown branches and day by day we become more compatible with him.
Communion is commitment. God was committed to you before the foundations of the earth were laid. He has never changed His mind about you. Communion is His commitment to never leave us nor forsake us and our commitment to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. This allows Him to work in us, giving us the desire and the strength to do what pleases Him.
Communion is God’s grace, compassion and love for us. Communion is our surrender, recognition and reverence of God. Communion is peace with God and hope in His return for us.
The death of Jesus reconciled us to God but He didn’t stay dead! I hope this has stirred something up in you and that this Easter will be a little different. I hope you let communion this Easter be a reminder of all the reasons we have to celebrate, not just because He died and we are saved, but because He is alive and has made us alive to share in communion with Him.