Day 307 – Jesus’ Passover Innovation

• It may or may not be the case with you in this particular instance, but young people in the church can often be aware of “things Christians do” without always having an understanding of what’s actually happening, where it came from, or why we do it. Communion may well fall under that bracket for many new or young Christians. I wonder if today’s readings have helped you in any way?
• Remember to consider the context of today’s words. The words spoken by Jesus in Luke’s account follow on from yesterday’s, and so Jesus and His disciples were still having the Last Supper. Do you remember which disciple missed out on sharing in the bread and wine?
• What does the bread signify? What about the wine?
• What is this “new covenant” that Jesus is setting up, and what did it replace? Think about some of the requirements of the Old Testament law which we no longer have to do. What other covenants can you remember being made in the Old Testament?
• Can you imagine how emotional the event must have been for the men in that room, considering the events that were soon about to occur?
• Why do you think some churches, like the one we go to, offer a blessing to people who haven’t been baptised, rather than allowing anyone to partake in taking the bread and wine? Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians, especially 11:28, will help. What first should happen?
• You may find it interesting to look at the other gospel accounts of this event. You can find them at Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:17-25 and John 13:21-30.
• Cast your eye back to 1 Corinthians 11:27. Paul added some words that none of the gospel writers included. Do you think you, and indeed your whole church, come to communion in a rather unworthy manner sometimes, perhaps too distracted or noisily? How might we improve this, individually and as a church?

Communion is an integral part of Christian worship, and one that perhaps can be relegated to the back when only done once a month as we do. Many churches have communion every week. Communion can be done in many ways. Some people like to all take individual cups and drink together, as one church. Some churches pass the bread and wine around so that people serve each other. Many churches don’t have the introductory passages and formal processes of the Church of England, although they are useful for reminding us of what communion is for.

Put simply, communion causes us – as a church – to remember our Lord’s death and resurrection and to look for His glorious return in the future. Next time you go up for communion, set aside the distractions around you, especially if people are chatting. Take a moment to consider the solemn, and yet joyous, act you are joining in, remembering to be so grateful that Jesus’ body and blood were on the line so that yours are not.