Communion is, perhaps, one of the most misunderstood rituals of the Christian faith. It is symbolic of our remembrance of Jesus’ crucifixion. While this is true, there is so much more to this and, I believe if we get it, will not only change us spiritually but it will change us physically as well.

One bit of housekeeping: The emblems of communion DO NOT become the actual body and blood of Christ, as some teach. That is tantamount to cannibalism and far from what Jesus was trying to get to us.

Communion is symbolic, or representing of what you’ve received from the Lord.

The bread represents the Body of Jesus, who is the Word of God.

Jesus told us in Matthew 4 that man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. We need food to nourish our natural bodies but we need the Word of God to nourish our born-again spirits.

The wine represents the Spirit of Jesus, which is the Power of God.

The disciples were instructed by Jesus to wait at Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit. Why? Because Jesus knew that they couldn’t effectively share the Gospel without the Holy Ghost. That applies to us, today — without the power of the Holy Spirit, we cannot minister Christ to anyone.

When the disciples of the first century Church gathered together, they did it in one another’s homes. Breaking bread (eating together) became a symbol of faith and solidarity for these early disciples (Acts 2:46)

From the time He was betrayed until the time He was crucified, Jesus was horribly disfigured. It can be said that he was dismembered and shed His Blood for our sins. But when He was resurrected, He received a glorified body.

In other words, He was dis-membered and re-membered.

Let’s take a look at our core text — for those who have spent any time in church, this is familiar:

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. 33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— 34 if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come. (2 Corinthians 11:23-34 - Also Reference Luke 22:19-20)

But let’s break this down:

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

This passage reminds us of the Lord’s supper and the importance of ea...