Rediscovering the Promise of Communion

Sometimes, in our walk with God, sacred practices can become so routine that we lose sight of their significance. Communion, one of the most powerful gifts God has given to the Church, risks becoming just another ritual—a box we check without fully engaging our hearts. But communion is more than a tradition; it is a divine invitation to draw near to God, remember Christ’s sacrifice, and reignite our relationship with Him.

If you’ve ever felt spiritually disconnected, communion offers a way back. It’s a holy moment designed to remind us of the blood that was shed, the body that was broken, and the new life available to us because of Jesus. Let’s take a deeper look at what communion means and how it can transform our lives.

Communion: A Memorial to Remember

The heart of communion is remembering. Jesus made this clear when He shared the first communion with His disciples in the upper room: “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” – 1 Corinthians 11:25

Jesus didn’t institute communion to be just another religious act; He intended it to be a powerful memorial. Just as we create monuments like the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial, the Vietnam Wall, or the 9/11 Memorial to ensure future generations remember significant moments, communion exists to keep the sacrifice of Jesus alive in our hearts.

When we take communion, we aren’t merely recalling a historical event. The biblical term “remember” goes beyond mental recollection. It calls us to stir our emotions, invoke our passion, and place ourselves at the foot of the cross. Jesus wants us to remember Him in a way that stirs our spirits and reminds us of the depth of His love and sacrifice.

Rediscovering the Meaning Behind Communion

It’s easy to sanitize the cross in today’s culture. We see it turned into jewelry or art, forgetting its original meaning. But the cross Jesus died on wasn’t beautiful; it was brutal. It was a tool of execution reserved for the worst of criminals. His death was bloody, painful, and public—an agonizing act of love that secured our redemption.

Communion invites us to revisit this sacrifice. It reminds us not only of His physical suffering but of the spiritual significance behind it. “By His stripes, we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5 This broken body and shed blood became the foundation of the New Covenant, offering forgiveness, healing, and restoration.

When we take communion, Jesus says, “Remember Me.” Not in a casual, detached way, but by fully engaging our hearts and acknowledging the cost of our salvation.

A Historical Perspective: Yom Kippur and Passover

The roots of communion stretch back into the Old Testament, where we find vivid foreshadows of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice.

Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement)
On this holy day, two goats were brought before the high priest. One goat was sacrificed as a burnt offering to atone for the people’s sins, symbolizing the shedding of blood for forgiveness. The other, known as the scapegoat, had the sins of Israel symbolically placed upon it and was cast into the wilderness, symbolizing sin being carried away.
Both goats point to Jesus. He was the perfect sacrifice whose blood was shed for our sins, and He bore the weight of our iniquities on the cross.
Passover
The story of Passover, recorded in Exodus 12, is another powerful parallel. The Israelites were instructed to apply the blood of a lamb to their doorposts so that the death angel would pass over their homes. This act of faith protected them from death and delivered them from bondage.
In the same way, Jesus, the Lamb of God, shed His blood to cover and protect us. When we plead the blood of Jesus over our lives, we declare His victory over sin and death.

How to Prepare for Communion

To approach communion with reverence and intentionality, consider these steps:

Quiet Your Spirit
Find a moment of stillness to tune out distractions and focus on God’s presence. In His presence, we find peace and clarity (Psalm 46:10).
Compare Then to Now
Reflect on who you were before Christ and celebrate the transformation He has brought into your life.
Examine Your Heart
Use this time for self-reflection. Ask God to search your heart for anything that needs repentance (Psalm 139:23-24). Confess your sins and invite His forgiveness.
Check Your Relationships
Communion is a time to assess the health of your relationships. Are there any broken connections that need mending? Jesus teaches that reconciliation is essential to worship (Matthew 5:23-24).
Stir Your Emotions
Remember the garden where Jesus prayed in agony, the lashes He endured, and the cross where He bore our sins. Let the weight of His sacrifice move your heart.
Celebrate the Resurrection
The cross wasn’t the end. The empty tomb reminds us that Jesus conquered death and offers us eternal life.
Look Ahead
Communion also points us to the future. It’s a proclamation of hope that Jesus will return (1 Corinthians 11:26).

The Power of Applying the Blood of Jesus

As believers, we often hear the phrase “plead the blood of Jesus,” but what does it mean? To plead the blood is to declare its power over your life—your family, health, finances, and future.

It’s like putting on the armor of God through prayer. By pleading the blood, we appropriate its benefits, claiming protection, healing, and freedom in Jesus’ name.

For instance, you might pray:
“Lord, I plead the blood of Jesus over my home, my children, and my future. Because of Your sacrifice, I stand in victory, freedom, and faith. Thank You for the power of Your blood.”

An Invitation to New Life

Perhaps you’re reading this and feel a stirring in your heart to know Jesus. Communion is a beautiful reminder of the new life He offers. If you’ve never surrendered your life to Christ, this is your moment.

Pray this simple prayer:
“Dear God, I come to You just as I am. I’m sorry for living without You. Today, I believe that Jesus died for my sins and rose again. I surrender my life to You and receive You as my Lord and Savior. Thank You for forgiving me and giving me eternal life. Amen.”

A New Perspective on Communion

Communion is not just a religious activity—it’s a life-giving act of worship. It reminds us of the cost of our salvation, the power of Jesus’ blood, and the hope we have in His resurrection.

As you take communion, don’t let it become routine. Let it be a moment to reconnect with God, reflect on His goodness, and renew your faith.

“Do this in remembrance of Me.” – Luke 22:19

Rediscover the promise of communion today and allow its significance to inspire a deeper walk with Jesus.

Promise of Communion