In Rememberance

How often do you share in the Lord’s Supper…communion?

It’s truly a somber and grateful moment when we think less of ourselves and more of our Lord and Savior. We remember His sacrifice, His gift, and His obedience all the way to the cross. 

One of my favorite memories of sharing in communion was with my second dad, Dennis O’Connor. He was sick and close to passing and my mother called me: “Timothy, come over and bring the elements to share communion with Dennis for the last time.” My heart leaped with honor to think we would remember the best gift our lives can experience. Jesus.

Jesus invented communion. He shared the first Lord’s Supper in history. He was highlighting what was about to happen. Truly, a preview of the events to come. The person, the Savior, and the remembrance of Him in the Lord’s Supper is paramount to His life’s calling. The sacrifice and purpose of Jesus going to the cross was in obedience to His Father and a sacrifice on our behalf. Sharing together these elements of the bread and wine in remembrance of Jesus is symbolic and important to the foundation of our Christian faith.

A week before I was scheduled to speak at a church, an email arrived with some new instructions. With short notice, I learned I was also leading the communion time during the upcoming Sunday service. The pastor was out of town. My new assignment was exciting to me. I grew up in church and have fond memories of being served the communion elements. To welcome the congregation to participate in this special moment was important.

When I arrived at the church where I was speaking on Sunday, I began to feel the same deep honor as I did when I shared communion for the last time with Dennis before he passed away. It felt like a timeless moment. Communion makes time stand still as we pause, reflect, and remember Jesus and His ultimate sacrifice. This is truly humbling. I welcomed the congregation to ask for forgiveness of their sins. And finally I asked, what does this mean to you? How do you remember your Lord and Savior?

Jesus modeled for us the special act of communion as he demonstrated it with His disciples on the night he was betrayed. Jesus took the bread. He took the cup. He reminded them, whenever you gather, do this in remembrance of me. Matthew 26:26-28 reads, “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’”

Today, I am reflecting on the power of what Jesus invited His disciples to participate in. It was not a tradition to continue or a quick passing spiritual drive-thru experience. Today, Jesus asks us to stop all we are doing in remembrance of His sacrifice on the cross to share in the communion table–knowing that He is good and worthy of all our honor. ~Tim DeTellis