Let me tell you a quick story. Really early when I began praying and going to church, we were celebrating communion. It was my time to lead. So I said a few words before we began the celebration. We started taking communion and when the whole group of people left, there was just this guy, his fiance, their three-year-old and I should mention that she was about eight and a half months pregnant.

So there they were and, for better or worse, I decided to give them communion. I said, “Take and eat the body of Christ.” The pastor came along with the wine. “Take and drink. This is the blood of Christ.”

The pregnant woman, she grabbed the cup and she looked at me and she whispered, “Sir, is this real wine?” So I tried to respectfully say, “Yes. It is real wine.” And her fiance started to get embarrassed. And he said, “Just drink it.” She said, “I can’t. I’m pregnant.” She was mentally wrestling back and forth. And, finally, she looked at the pastor with these big eyes and she said, “Pastor. Will this hurt me?” Her fiance was so embarrassed, he said, “Fine.” And he drank his cup. He grabbed hers. To be honest, it was a bit embarrassing for all of us, but we got through. A few months later they joined a Bible class and we talked about communion. I remember, in the class, she put her hand up and asked the pastor, “Pastor. I’m not sure if, at that time, we totally understood what was happening.” Thankfully, she finally understood.

That encounter made a lasting impression on me.

You see, both those people had grown up in church. Both of them had celebrated communion before. But when the pastor actually talked to them about what communion was, neither of them really understood it. They didn’t know what it was or exactly why they were doing it. They just kind of grew up in churches where communion happened.

This is why I take helping people understand about communion very seriously.

I want everyone to receive this great gift that Jesus intended. Unfortunately, I also know that some people just grow up in religious homes. And they don’t fully grasp what Jesus did for us as represented in communion is about. I think about what the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11. This is, by the way, probably the best chapter to hear what the Bible says about communion. Near the end of that chapter, it says: There’s something really interesting about communion. It apparently can bless you or if you take it in the wrong way, it can hurt you. It can forgive your sins or you can actually sin while taking it. It’s almost like a prescription medicine. Right?

In and of itself, it’s a good thing that can really help people. But I’m guessing the last time you went to the doctor, the prescription meds weren’t in the lobby for you to decide what you should take and what you shouldn’t. No. It took someone who knew the medicine, who would examine you, and help you figure out what medicine fit your need. If you can understand the similarity, you need to examanine yourself and make sure that communion ‘fits’… This means: forgive and receive forgiveness.

Writing this blog, is my way, as best I can, have a quick conversation or two with you to bring to mind our union in Jesus. I enjoy talking about the beauty of communion.
And then to encourage you to really celebrate. Not with you wondering, “What is this?” But with you knowing exactly what this is. So, however your church practices communion, I hope you take it seriously.

Communion is a great, wondeful gift from God. It’s a wonderful way for God to connect with us
and forgive us of our sins. And we thank Jesus when we do it well and Biblically.

Let’s pray.

Dear Jesus,
We understand that there is no appendix in the Bible to know exactly how to do communion
or how often to do communion. Or nothings tells us how to know all the right things to say before we take communion.
But, we really do want to be faithful. But we do want there to be a real union with you and with one another as we celebrate this gift. So, give all of us wisdom as people of faith to know how honor you as we celebrate communion. We ask all of this, Jesus, in your incredible name.

Amen.