Holy Crackers and Sacred Grape Juice

by

John D. McArthur, Jr.

When the girls were little, they attended Children's Church. Just like our Children's Church programs today, they would sing songs, play games, have a lesson, and eat a snack. They loved this special time of worship. Occasionally they would dismiss their service and have the kids worship with the adults.

The kids were never very pleased when they had to attend the "boring" adult worship. My youngest daughter, Erika, would sit with a scowl on her face through most of the service. One time when she noticed we had communion, her eyes lit up. She asked her mother if she could have a cracker and some juice too. Holly told her no, it was for adults.

"But," Erika protested, "I want an `e-dult' snack too!"

Although she missed the point of communion, Erika responded to what we were doing in the way God planned. You see, one very important reason we gather as a church every week and take time to pass the emblems of communion is so those on the outside can look at us and say, "Why are you doing that?" And we, in turn, can share the gospel story.

The historical record on how Jesus prepared everything for the communion is interesting. The gospel accounts all mention the secretive way Jesus arranged for a room to observe Passover.

Why didn't they all just walk into town? Why didn't Jesus just tell them to meet him at this address? Why all the secrecy?

The answer is found in the verses preceding that event in each of the gospels (Matthew 26:14ff, Mark 14:10ff, and Luke 22:1ff). Judas had agreed to betray Jesus. He was watching for an opportunity to hand him over. What better time than during the Passover meal when everyone else in town, including all those people the chief priests were afraid of, were in their own homes eating? Jesus was being secretive because he did not want Judas to know where they were going to be and tip off the chief priests. He wanted uninterrupted time with his disciples to show them what he was going to do.

Jesus went to great lengths to make sure everything was just right. He made all these preparations not so the apostles could have a last supper with him but so they could concentrate on what the communion meant.

The Church of Christ is often criticized because we take communion every week. It loses its meaning and becomes routine is the argument used against weekly observance. But Jesus said to do this in remembrance of him. And the book of Acts 20:7 teaches the early church met every first day of the week and had communion. The problem is not taking communion too much, it is a matter of preparing for the event.

Do we take the time necessary to prepare our hearts and minds for communion? Do we come to church in anticipation of performing this ritual and remembering the death of Jesus? Maybe instead of telling ourselves, "I'm going to church today," we need to tell ourselves, "I'm going to remember what Jesus did for me on the cross."

That changes everything doesn't it? We can skip church. Maybe the preaching is boring or the songs stink. And maybe the fellowship is cold and we have something we would rather do. But how can we, if we call ourselves Christian, knowingly and willingly skip the opportunity to remember and proclaim that Jesus died on the cross?

Why did Jesus give us the ritual of communion? Can't we look at a picture of the cross and remember his death? Can't we sing songs and praise his victory? Can't we listen to the preacher and learn about our salvation? Sometimes these things can help. But a picture can be seen as a work of art, songs can be judged by their appeal and style, and sermons can be critiqued by their ability to communicate. The communion alone uniquely brings us to remembrance of Jesus.

Alexander Maclauren wrote, "It is at once a feast of memory and of hope, and is also a symbol for the present."

Paul wrote that when we "eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."

Communion is a lasting ordinance we practice until the return of Jesus. This is our witness. This is our act of righteousness which causes the world to ask, "Why do you do that?"

And, we take communion to remind ourselves of who we are and what we are doing. Jesus said he "eagerly desired to eat" with his apostles. And he said he would not eat again until the meal is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

There is a piece of prophecy in this ritual as well. Revelation 19:9 talks about a wedding supper we will be invited to after his second return. When we take communion we are looking forward to the promise of that day. Communion is a reminder to us of that hope.

What is the purpose of communion? To proclaim to the world that Jesus died for our sins, to remind ourselves of the salvation we have received in his name, and to look forward to that great day when we will have that wonderful party with our Lord in heaven.

Communion has two parts: the bread and the cup. The bread symbolizes the body of Jesus. There is no indication here that the bread became the body of Christ only that it represents it. When we eat, we are remembering his sacrifice to us. The cup represents the blood of Christ. Again, not actual blood but a symbol to remind us that we are saved only by his blood. Acts 4:12 proclaims, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

So, how do we know if we are practicing communion correctly? Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:28 to examine yourself. What does he mean by that?

In the story of the first communion, Jesus told the apostles he knew who would betray him. Shocked, the apostles began to search themselves. They weren't pointing fingers but wondering, "Surely not I, Lord?" Each of them knew they were capable of sinning. Each of them knew that they were not all that good by themselves. Each of them realized they needed Jesus if they were going to make it.

How do we examine ourselves? We do the same thing. We realize who we are. Our attitude going into communion should be like the tax collector from Luke 18 who prayed simply, "Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner."

Rather than an empty ritual, communion, when practiced correctly, brings us closer to Jesus and causes others to notice that difference in our lives.