7 Reasons Why We Take Communion: A Detailed Guide
Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist, is a sacred ordinance celebrated by Christians worldwide. It’s a time for reflection, remembrance, and renewal of our commitment to Jesus Christ. But beyond the ritual, there’s profound meaning and purpose woven into the practice of communion. Understanding these reasons can enrich your experience and deepen your connection with God. Let’s explore seven compelling reasons why we take communion, accompanied by detailed steps and instructions to fully appreciate this sacred act.
1. To Remember Jesus Christ’s Sacrifice
This is perhaps the most commonly understood reason for taking communion. Jesus Himself instituted the Lord’s Supper during the Passover meal with His disciples, shortly before His crucifixion. He instructed them to continue this practice as a memorial of Him. The bread represents His body, broken for our sins, and the wine represents His blood, shed for the remission of those sins.
**Instructions & Steps:**
* **Preparation:** Before taking communion, take a moment for silent reflection. Consider the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion: His betrayal, arrest, trial, and suffering. Read passages from the Gospels that describe His passion (Matthew 26-27, Mark 14-15, Luke 22-23, John 18-19).
* **The Bread:** As you receive the bread, hold it in your hand and contemplate its symbolism. It represents the physical suffering Jesus endured. Meditate on the fact that He willingly offered His body as a sacrifice for you.
* **The Wine:** As you receive the cup (or individual cup), reflect on the blood of Christ, which symbolizes the cleansing from sin and the establishment of a new covenant between God and humanity. Thank God for the forgiveness He offers through Jesus’ sacrifice.
* **Prayer:** After partaking of the bread and the wine, offer a silent prayer of gratitude for Jesus’ sacrifice. Acknowledge your dependence on Him for salvation.
**Scriptural References:**
* 1 Corinthians 11:24-25: “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 also He took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.'”
* Luke 22:19: “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.'”
2. To Proclaim the Lord’s Death Until He Comes
Communion is not just a look back at the past; it’s also a forward-looking declaration of faith. By participating in the Lord’s Supper, we are proclaiming the significance of Jesus’ death until He returns. We are testifying to the world (and to ourselves) that we believe in His saving power and eagerly await His second coming.
**Instructions & Steps:**
* **Acknowledge the Future:** As you partake of the elements, remember that Jesus will return. Reflect on the hope and promise of His second coming and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.
* **Live a Life of Witness:** Recognize that your participation in communion should translate into a life that reflects Christ’s teachings. Your actions and words should be a testament to your faith and a proclamation of the gospel.
* **Share Your Faith:** Be prepared to share your testimony with others about the significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Encourage them to consider the claims of Christ.
**Scriptural References:**
* 1 Corinthians 11:26: “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”
* Acts 1:11: “‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.'”
3. To Experience Communion with Christ
The word “communion” itself implies fellowship and sharing. When we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we are entering into a deeper communion with Christ. It’s a spiritual experience where we connect with Him in a tangible way. Through the Holy Spirit, we can experience His presence and receive His grace.
**Instructions & Steps:**
* **Prepare Your Heart:** Before communion, spend time in prayer and confession, seeking to cleanse your heart and mind from any distractions or sin.
* **Focus on Christ:** As you partake of the elements, consciously focus on Jesus. Visualize Him, meditate on His words, and open your heart to His presence.
* **Listen for His Voice:** Be attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. God may speak to you through thoughts, feelings, or impressions during communion.
* **Expect to Encounter Him:** Approach communion with anticipation and faith, believing that God will meet you in a special way.
**Scriptural References:**
* 1 Corinthians 10:16: “Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?”
* John 14:23: “Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.'”
4. To Express Unity with Fellow Believers
Communion is not just an individual experience; it’s also a corporate one. When we partake of the Lord’s Supper together, we are expressing our unity with fellow believers. We are acknowledging that we are all part of the body of Christ, united by our common faith and love for Jesus.
**Instructions & Steps:**
* **Look Around:** As you participate in communion, take a moment to observe the other believers around you. Recognize that they are your brothers and sisters in Christ.
* **Forgive and Reconcile:** If you have any unresolved conflicts with fellow believers, use the time before communion to seek reconciliation. Strive for unity and harmony within the church.
* **Pray for One Another:** Pray for the needs of your fellow believers, both individually and as a church community.
* **Serve One Another:** Look for opportunities to serve and support your fellow believers. Show them love and compassion in practical ways.
**Scriptural References:**
* 1 Corinthians 10:17: “Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.”
* Ephesians 4:3: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
5. To Renew Our Covenant with God
The Lord’s Supper is a renewal of the covenant we have with God through Jesus Christ. By partaking of the bread and the wine, we are reaffirming our commitment to follow Him and obey His commands. It’s a time to recommit our lives to His service and to seek His guidance and strength.
**Instructions & Steps:**
* **Reflect on Your Commitment:** Before communion, take time to reflect on your relationship with God. Are you living in obedience to His Word? Are you fulfilling His purpose for your life?
* **Confess Your Sins:** If you have fallen short of God’s standards, confess your sins and ask for His forgiveness. Repent of your wrongdoings and resolve to live a more godly life.
* **Recommit Your Life:** As you partake of the elements, consciously recommit your life to God. Dedicate your time, talents, and resources to His service.
* **Seek His Guidance:** Pray for God’s guidance and direction in your life. Ask Him to reveal His will to you and to give you the strength to follow it.
**Scriptural References:**
* Hebrews 8:6: “But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.”
* Jeremiah 31:31-34: “‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah… I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people… For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.'”
6. To Examine Ourselves
Partaking in communion should be a time of introspection. The Apostle Paul warns against taking communion in an unworthy manner, meaning without proper self-examination. This is not to create fear or discourage participation, but rather to encourage honest self-reflection and repentance before approaching the Lord’s Table.
**Instructions & Steps:**
* **Ask Yourself Hard Questions:** Before taking communion, ask yourself: Am I living a life that is pleasing to God? Are there any unconfessed sins in my life? Am I harboring any bitterness, resentment, or unforgiveness?
* **Seek the Holy Spirit’s Guidance:** Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any hidden sins or areas of weakness in your life. Be open to His conviction and guidance.
* **Confess and Repent:** If the Holy Spirit reveals any areas where you need to change, confess your sins and repent. Turn away from your wrongdoings and seek God’s forgiveness.
* **Don’t Let Fear Prevent Participation:** Self-examination should not lead to fear or avoidance of communion. If you have confessed your sins and are genuinely seeking to live a life that is pleasing to God, you are welcome at the Lord’s Table.
**Scriptural References:**
* 1 Corinthians 11:27-29: “So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.”
* Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
7. To Receive Grace and Spiritual Nourishment
Communion is more than just a symbolic act; it’s also a means of grace. Through the Holy Spirit, we can receive spiritual nourishment and strength as we partake of the bread and the wine. God can use this time to refresh our souls, renew our minds, and empower us to live a life that is pleasing to Him.
**Instructions & Steps:**
* **Come with Expectation:** Approach communion with an attitude of faith and expectation, believing that God will meet you in a special way.
* **Open Your Heart:** Open your heart to receive God’s grace and love. Be receptive to His presence and power.
* **Pray for Strength:** Pray for strength to overcome temptation and to live a life that is pleasing to God.
* **Meditate on God’s Word:** Meditate on God’s Word and allow it to nourish your soul.
* **Thank God for His Grace:** After communion, thank God for His grace and for the spiritual nourishment you have received.
**Scriptural References:**
* John 6:53-56: “Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.'”
* 2 Peter 1:3: “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
**Conclusion**
Taking communion is a powerful and meaningful practice that offers numerous benefits to believers. By remembering Jesus’ sacrifice, proclaiming His death, experiencing communion with Him, expressing unity with fellow believers, renewing our covenant with God, examining ourselves, and receiving grace and spiritual nourishment, we can deepen our relationship with God and grow in our faith. As you participate in the Lord’s Supper, take time to reflect on these reasons and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you into a deeper understanding of this sacred ordinance.