Do you prepare your heart (the seat bed of emotion/intellect/motive) before the taking of communion? Is the extent of your understanding of the Lord’s Supper encapsulated in 1 Corinthians 11:23-25, but without exploring the implications of the verses that follow? I have found these realities in the Body of Christ to be true of myself. But I wonder how the early Church remembered their (and our) Savior – Christ Jesus? Were there tears of remorse and of joy? Did victory & the reality of new life from spiritual death factor into the equation? What about the fact that communion draws a laser focus on Christ, all the while illumining our understanding that redemption is ALL of the Lord Jesus; that we are merely and wonderfully objects of His mercy? Consider the following verse:
“And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Cor. 6:11
What a statement! What an unshakeable truth!
Especially since every single person, save the Lord Jesus, fits the preceding list given by the Apostle Paul. So, when I consider the Eucharist with clarity, Golgotha penetrates all of who I am in Christ by reminding me of all I was before Christ redeemed me. Namely, a sinner dead in his trespasses! A man rightly deserving the wrath of God!
But now... oh, I am a man redeemed from all lawlessness! Paul affirms this by declaring, “…Our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” Titus 2:13-14
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
In close, we must also remember the contribution we make to our salvation. Alistair Begg is helpful here-
“You didn’t do a single thing to earn the King’s favor. You made absolutely no restitution for your rebellion. There is only one basis on which you have been adopted into His family: His mercy, freely given and never deserved.” He continues, “In the words of the hymn writer Elvina Hall, ‘Jesus paid it all.’ This truth will keep you humble when days are good, and hopeful when you see your sin; salvation is never about your merit but always and only about His mercy. Truth for Life: 365 Daily devotional, November 27th
So, how do you view communion now? My hope is more soberly and with greater thanksgiving.
With Christ's Love,
P. Che