HOLY COMMUNION

As humans, we have a spirit and a soul and we live in a physical body.

The food we eat benefits our physical body by nourishing it. The Holy Spirit gives us spiritual life and the word of GOD nourishes our soul.

At the LORD’S table as we call it, or the Eucharist or the Holy Communion, we eat a tiny piece of bread and a tiny cup of wine. This feeds our body a little, but more importantly, it is food to our soul, because we do it in remembrance of the new covenant in the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

1 Corinthians 10:14-17

The Jews ate the passover meal as families. The LORD shared the meal with His disciples, His spiritual family. So today we acknowledge that we are one family in CHRIST under the new covenant. If we are taking part in this meal, we should be willing to obey the LORD’S command to “Love one another as I have loved you.” Therefore let us make sure we have put right our relationships before we partake of this, because, together we represent CHRIST in this world. As He is, so are we in this world. So it is very important to release and receive forgiveness and have clean hearts towards each other if we are to participate in this meal. Then, it will be a blessing to our soul. He poured out His soul unto death in grief and sorrow so that our souls may be saved and healed. The well being of our soul is a reflection of healthy relationships. Let us be blessed with good mental health - healthy emotions and a sound mind.

We must also understand that there is a spiritual aspect to this institution and that is our connection with the Almighty GOD through our LORD JESUS CHRIST. We are made alive spiritually through the death and resurrection of Him. He took the punishment of our sin on His body.

 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Matthew 10:38-39

Therefore those who partake of this should be those who have decided to follow JESUS, willing to die to self and to live for Him.

Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to 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 him up at the last day.

John 6:53-54

This speaks of our life in CHRIST. This further shows us the seriousness of this commitment. It is a life and death matter. When we do this with such a heart, it is a blessing and brings healing and wholeness to us. On the other hand when we do this carelessly, it will bring GOD’S judgment upon us.

 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.

1 Corinthians 11:27-31

I had this impression of a father working with an electric saw. When his disobedient rebellious son wanted to use it, he hastened to put the switch off and unplug the saw. On this Fathers’ day, it is even more pertinent to remember our Heavenly Father Who deals so wisely with us. No obedience, no power so that there is no judgment , but sadly, there is no blessing as well!

So let us examine our own hearts. Let parents take the responsibility to decide whether their children understand and have the fear of the LORD to partake in this.