The Sacrament of Holy Communion
Matt 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, [a]blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the[b]new covenant, which is shed for many for the [c]remission of sins.
The Great Thanksgiving from the Book of Worship
On the night Jesus gave himself up for us, He took the bread, gave thanks to God, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.”
When the supper was over, He took the cup, gave thanks to God, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Drink this, each of you; For this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves as a holy and living sacrifice,
Pour out your Holy Spirit on we who are gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be the body of Christ for the world, redeemed by His blood.
By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other,
and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory and we feast at his heavenly banquet.
How important is the sacrament of Holy Communion to you? When we partake of this most holy event, it is not just an idle reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made to reconcile sinful man to a holy God. Nor is it merely a monthly exercise whose purpose is to simply fill a slot on the church calendar.
No, Holy Communion is where we can receive God’s grace. We do not just acknowledge the acts performed by Jesus, we are mindful of all He gave so that we might live. It is where the church comes together as one body as we proclaim the mighty acts performed by Christ Jesus.
I remember serving Communion to a sweet lady in a nursing home, and she said, “ I wondered what it would be like to take Communion here, but it’s just like church.” I have served Communion in homes, hospitals and assisted living facilities. I have served it to people who are well, and I have served it to those on their deathbeds. The experience for me as their pastor is always sweet and there are times when I can scarcely get through the liturgy because it is so deeply personal.
How precious is this sacrament of the church? To me it is one of the most significant means of Grace and it is available to each one of us. When we partake of the bread and the wine (or juice) it is as though we are in the presence of our Lord and Savior.
May we remember today, and every day, the meaning of this sacrament, and when we approach the Table may we do so with the expectation of receiving grace.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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