Study 6. What’s communion

Communion is an amazing thing that Jesus gave to the disciples, he taught them how to do it and he instructed them to do it regularly as a way of remembering him.

In Christian churches today, all over the globe men, women and children come together and take communion to remember Jesus and in particular the fact that his body was broken for us.

The Bible reading for today can be found in a few places in the Bible as this practice was taught by Jesus, then handed on and taught to new gathering of Christians.

In the original context, Jesus invited his mates, the disciples to have a meal with him, his last supper with them, he broke bread and poured out some wine. After this he said this is my body, broken for you and this is my blood, shed for you.

After this they ate and drank not fully realising what was about to happen to Jesus, but they soon came to understand.

The way in which communion is shared and enjoyed across the globe today can vary depending on tradition and customs, but the idea of bread and wine (or juice) being shared and thanks being given to Jesus for his life, death and resurrection is always central.

Taking communion doesn’t make you a follower of Jesus, it doesn’t contain any special powers, it is an act of celebration, obedience and worship really, it’s a way of thanking Jesus for what he has done and remembering him in a profound way. This is what makes communion so incredible.

One of the times I have seen communion used was at The Gathering, CVM’s annual men’s festival. There we had over 2000 men in groups with handfuls of bread and shared cups of juice thanking Jesus for his life and for each other’s lives too. One year we had 120 men who had just said yes to Jesus take communion for the first ever time with their new brothers, amazing. Oh, and at the very moment we had arranged a Battle of Britain fly-past with our RAF mates. Over the top of us flew one of only two Lancaster bombers in the world, a Spitfire, a Hurricane and Dakota. It was a truly amazing moment.