Thinking about communion as a sacrament

Do you view communion as a gift from our Lord? This is not just a church tradition where we share some bread and juice and remember Jesus. No, in addition to this, we actually come into His presence, by His invitation, to dine with Him for the strengthening of our faith. We come together to be blessed by this sacrament; that is, by this practice of the church that Jesus established.

You may wonder, “What separates some practices of the church into the category of a sacrament?” We recognize two – baptism and communion – because these were not just taught by our Lord, but He commands His church to do them. What also sets these apart from other practices is the use of material elements as visible signs of God’s blessing. Sacraments are also a means of grace to those who rightly partake of them; and a seal, or confirmation to us of the grace they signify.

When we eat the bread and drink from the cup we are pointed to the reality of Christ’s body and blood, and His sacrifice for our sins. In this sacrament we experience a unique presence of our Lord that strengthens and sustains us in our weakness, and gives us hope and expectation - not only for His coming, but also for the heavenly banquet that awaits us. This is a means of grace to those who eat and drink in faith. Not saving grace that is magically dispensed to us in these material elements, but a very real blessing that strengthens our faith as we acknowledge the grace of God given to us in and through His Son.

As a billboard point us to the reality it represents, so the signs of bread and juice point us to greater realities – namely: Christ’s past work on the cross; His current presence that strengthen our faith; and His certain promises that await us. These signs point to God’s grace and they seal, or confirm to us, the very grace they are meant to signify.

John Calvin wrote that a sacrament is “an outward sign by which the Lord seals on our consciences the promises of his good will toward us in order to sustain the weakness of our faith; and we in turn attest our piety (meaning, reverence or devotion) toward him in the presence of the Lord and of his angels and before men.”

So, the next time you participate in the sacrament of communion: receive the bread and juice as signs that point you to the reality of Christ in you, the hope of glory; recognize that He is with you; see that you are a part of His body that proclaims His atoning death; and repeat this sacrament often, with grateful obedience, as you look forward to His glorious return.

- Pastor Brian