By Dick VanHuss
The Passover celebration practiced in the New Testament was a reenactment of the first Passover. While it was a memorial, it was not just for the ancestors, but for all who remembered and celebrated it. In the same way, the last supper serves as a way for us to share in Christ’s body and blood with all God’s people. 1 Corinthians 10 16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf. We are one body of believers celebrating what Christ has done for us.
As we look at the emblems of communion we have the bread, his body; and the fruit of the vine, his blood. When we break the bread we are recognizing the power of his atonement for healing. Matthew 8 confirms the prophecy of Isaiah, 16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
That prophecy spoken by Isaiah was Chapter 53:4-5 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
The power of communion is remembering the Lord’s death and sacrifice which puts the penalty of sin under the blood. That allows us to put the root of sickness (sin) under the blood.
Doug Clay the national leader of the Assemblies of God fellowship recounted a story about when his wife, Gail, was facing a serious illness while they were pastoring in Ohio. Feeling directed by the Holy Spirit, the elders of the church served communion to Gail every hour on the hour through the entire weekend. When Gail returned to the doctor, she was healed! While this is not a magic bullet for healing, we have seen a connection between regular communion and the healing power of God.
We also can’t forget the connection between communion and sickness. 1 Corinthians 11 27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.
The incredible power of communion reminds us of Christ’s role to heal us as well as to bring judgment to the world. May we walk in his grace and experience all Christ has for us!
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for the simplicity of using bread and the fruit of the vine to remember what you have done for us. Thank you for emblems so simple even the poorest in the world may find a version to use to remember you. Thank you that your body was broken and you took the stripes for our healing. Let us never take it for granted, but always be appreciative of your mercy.
Questions to think about.
- Have you experienced or know of someone who experienced healing while taking communion? Do you see patterns?
- Do you believe communion must always be an unleavened (without yeast) bread and grape juice or wine? What happens if someone substitutes other items?
- How do you think the warning in 1 Corinthians 11 works?