1 Corinthians 11:23-26: Communion

1 Corinthians 11:23-26.. "For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when 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 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.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."

Why do we partake the Lord's Supper? Many churches hold communion monthly, if not weekly, but why? Why do we eat bread and drink grape juice during a church service? Isn't that a little silly?

Ultimately, we take communion to remember Christ's death. As you should all well know, the bread is a symbol of Christ's body, and the cup is a symbol of Christ's blood. These two images both remind us of the death that Christ died upon "that old rugged cross." However, that "death" was not simply just a "death." This "death" was the very death that saved us, the very death that offered the opportunity of salvation to all who believe, and the very death that absorbed the wrath of God that we might not have to.

So when we parttake in the Lord's Supper, we remember all of this, and much more. We remember the death that Christ died, along with all of the implications thereof. We remember that because of the price that Christ paid, we can be washed as white as snow. We remmber that because of the price that Christ paid, we can have peace with the Father. We remember the Christ who died that we may have life.

So, next time you parttake in Communion, do not do so in vain. Take time to remember what the Lord has done for you. Do not dismiss it as some boring church ordinance, but consider it a spiritual act that can bring you great sanctification, as you remember the once-dead-now-risen Christ. Praise the Lord.