Communion

When you read the title of this post, and if you’re a member of the church at large, you generally think of bread and wine, the Lord’s supper, or if you’re deep in it, maybe Melchizedek with Abraham.

We often associate communion only with the elements that Jesus displayed on his last night with the disciples, and rightfully so. It is one of the most holy acts we can do on this earth. It is so holy, that Paul said some people did it irreverently, and brought upon themselves sickness or even death. (Unworthily is what some translations say, but irreverently would be more appropriate translation, for who is worthy of the blood of Christ?)

Why was this such a huge thing to Paul and the church? Well, Jesus instituted it, of course!

But why?

It’s because of the word itself. Communion, is the compounded word of two words…. Common and Union.

When we partake of communion, whether that involves grape juice and bread, or whether that is quite conversation with your savior, you are expressing covenant.

Covenant is when two people are joined so closely to come to a common goal. That common goal in our lives is the glorification of the Father, Son and the Kingdom of God. When we are partaking physically, mentally, or spiritually, we are sharing a “common-union” with God himself.

This covenant common union is a declaration of our souls to the cause of Christ Jesus and it’s vital to our lives. We can never earn him, his kingdom, or his favor, but we can join in the cause by this joint venture.

Communion is so deeply ingrained in what we are, but we seldom realize it is not about the act, but in the person. Abide in me, Jesus said. Communion is our external act of abiding.

This common union is anything but common.

Just as sex between a husband and wife is the confirmation of the covenant, communion with Christ is our confirmation, that HE and only HE is our life.