Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - COMMUNION

 COMMUNION

Anyone who has ever gone to church should be familiar with the celebration of communion. But sometimes the true meaning may become lost “in the translation.” Some people actually refer to it as being cannibalistic in nature because of our eating the “body” of Christ and drinking His “blood.” They evidently do not see the symbolic nature of the event at all. Christ said, after taking bread and breaking it, “…'Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’” Likewise, He took the cup and said: “…‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’” (1 Corinthians 11:24-25)

It must be noted that this is done “in remembrance,” as a symbolic event. By eating a bread like substance and drinking from the cup we honour the death of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:28 says: “…[L]et him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” (Although wine is presumed to be the liquid, it is not specifically mentioned.)

It means that in Christ we have spiritual life, and in the symbols of communion we have both spiritual and human existence. Bread (i.e.: food) is the substance by which we all survive. But Christ said that He was “the bread of life. He who comes to me shall never hunger” (John 6:35). John also said that: “In the beginning was the Word…and the Word was God…and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” (John 1:1,14). Jesus also said that: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) Therefore, taking the bread represents the sustenance of life, both human and spiritual, in that Christ is the “Bread of life” and “the Word made flesh.”

Similarly, the cup represents the fact that: “…the life of the flesh is in the blood…it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.” (Leviticus 17:11) Thus, when Jesus refers to the cup, it is assumed that the cup contained wine, since that was the common drink in His day, however, it should be noted that it does not specifically say so. It is the meaning, and not the actual liquid, that matters. Although wine is often used in some places, other locations use grape juice or fruit juice. Other substitutes, which have been used as the drink at communion, include: coconut milk, soft drinks, or even tea or coffee. It is not the actual liquid which is important but the sincerity, honesty, and understanding which accompanies the commemoration. It represents the atonement and to do it with any liquid and a right heart is preferred over not doing it in remembrance at all.

The only required aspect of communion is that it is done with sincerity. The Bible states, in 1 Corinthians 11:29-30: “For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself…for this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.”

But by taking communion in the proper manner, one takes into themselves the “Bread of life,” the “Word made flesh,” and the “atonement for the soul.” There certainly is a lot contained in the bread and the cup.

And It really does give one something to think about.