I was remembering the days of early motherhood just recently, and that sparked off some thoughts that gave me fresh insight into what we call Holy Communion. First, let’s look at what the bible says in Luke 22:19-20.
“And He (Jesus) took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”
This is the last meal the Lord and the disciples were to share together, before Jesus’ crucifixion. These men were more than just dear friends and disciples to Jesus, they were His family, and He knew that what was about to happen would devastate them. One of their number, would betray Him. In the end, of course, they all ran away, and then something unimaginably worse transpired. But even though everything that happened was necessary, if you read all three accounts of this incident in Matthew, Mark and Luke, you can see Jesus wanted to prepare these men to cope with what what was ahead, when He would no longer be with them.
The bottom was about to fall out of their happy little world, even as they were sitting round the food together, sharing, talking, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. After they had finished their meal, Jesus took bread and a cup of wine and began to teach them. We have all heard this preached on many times, especially right before we take communion together – but this time I saw something that I wanted to share here today because these verses reminded me of my own past.
When my kids were quite little, the church we attended had annual weekends away for the women who came to our church. These were sweet spiritual times, with teaching and prayer and fellowship and a time for all the women to relax together. But it also meant that everyone’s kids were left at home with their fathers. I felt so guilty about leaving my kids, because I did not want them to feel deserted by me. Plus I wanted them to know I loved them! So before I left, I cooked all the food that would be needed, plus special treats, and I bought each child a stuffed toy to remind them – ‘Mummy loves you.’ I left the toy on each of their beds so they would find it at bedtime, when little kids sometimes get a bit uncertain about things.
So, let’s go back to the scripture in Luke because I do have a point! Even after the crucifixion, and the resurrection, for everything to be accomplished in the Father’s plan, Jesus had to return to heaven. The disciples were looking at Him when it happened – they watched Him go! And suddenly they were alone. I thought about the time between His Ascension and Pentecost and realised how hard that the length of time would have been for them. The promised Holy Spirit had not come yet, and they were all virtually holding their collective breaths for what ever was going to happen next.
Today, we remember Jesus from the perspective of hindsight – we’ve read the end of the story! This means we see His death and resurrection, and ascension from a distance. It is our history, but for them it was present and acute. When we talk about time retrospectively, that amount of time doesn’t seem very long, but those disciples were afraid, and they huddled together praying in an Upper room – not knowing what came next. They only knew to wait together, because the Lord had told them to wait.
That’s when I realised that the Lord had given them something concrete TO DO to remember Him. It was not just about them being sad, solemn and serious …it was also about them remembering being with Him, walking, talking, laughing, eating meals, going to the temple together. Those thoughts were to comfort them. It was a way they could reassure themselves in any time of doubt, pain, discomfort, and grief. They had lost their dear Friend and Master — their beloved One, the One Who utterly changed their lives. And just like we might look at a photo of a loved one who has died, Jesus gave them something concrete to do to remind themselves of all they had seen and done with Him.
We all know that taking communion together is a spiritual blessing. It is a time of family fellowship and intimacy with the Lord and each other, where we give thanks for all He did for us. But just like those toys on my kid’s beds when I was absent from them – the disciples had been given something visible to hold onto, to remind themselves, in the middle of their loss, of how much He loved them. Any time they wanted to remember their lives together, they could take bread, and wine and give thanks and remember Him and all He did for them.
My thoughts about communion have been stretched a little, because I can do even more than simply remember, and thank the Lord for dying in my place. Now, I can remember we met together this morning. Just yesterday He showed me something that helped me with my life. I can remember the relationship we share. Not as a past event, but a present reminder of how good He is to us, every single day. Sometimes it is the little personal memories that get us through our difficulties. Bless you. 👋
