The Lord’s Supper

Last Sunday I had the privilege of leading groups of people in communion at our church. It struck me that the Lord’s Supper or communion is a practice that we are meant to participate in together. Communion is not an individual but a corporate activity that demonstrates our unity in Christ as we remember his death for us.

“When we bless the cup at the Lord’s Table, aren’t we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren’t we sharing in the body of Christ? And though we are many, we all eat from one loaf of bread, showing that we are one body.” (1 Corinthians 10:16-17 NLT)

So when we come together to observe the Lord’s Supper, I look around and see that Christ not only died for me, but for these—my brothers and sisters here gathered with me. At the Lord’s table we’re all on a level plain. We all come humbly before him in need of his grace and love which he extends freely toward us.

Rightly seen, the Lord’s Supper brings us together like nothing else. I think that’s why Paul was so upset at the Corinthian Christians for their self-centered approach to communion (see 1 Corinthians 11:17-34).

But last Sunday during communion I was blessed to observe something so tender and sweet that could have only been caught in the context of sharing Christ’s meal with other followers. A woman and her son came forward to the table with about six or eight others. Judging by her son’s mannerisms I recognized that he is developmentally challenged.

This particular Sunday we had people take a piece of bread, dip it into grape juice and then eat it. This boy followed the other’s example, took some bread and dipped it into the juice. But he wasn’t satisfied with the conservative dipping the others practiced! Instead, he sloshed the bread back in forth in the grape juice to ensure it was well soaked.

Then he lifted the bread into his mouth, closed his eyes and savored his holy morsel. Audibly we heard him exclaim, “Mmm, that’s good!” And I thought to myself, this boy in his simplicity really understands what it means to enjoy the Lord’s Supper! I could sense God’s pleasure over this young man and this cluster of Christ-followers.

© 2009 Rob Fischer