Luke 22:19 “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’”
Traditions can serve as meaningful reminders of the past and the ways in which God has worked in our lives. One such tradition, communion, was started by Jesus himself. Instructing his followers to use bread and wine as symbols of his sacrifice on the cross, Jesus referred to himself as the "bread of life,” the source of our nourishment and satisfaction. In the early Church, communion was celebrated frequently, as a way of recognizing Jesus and expressing gratitude for all that God has done.
While the physical elements of bread and wine are significant, the true meaning of communion lies in its representation of the body and blood of Jesus. Communion should be seen as a celebration of the Gospel – a reminder that Jesus was broken for us so that we can be made whole through him. This celebration serves to mark the story of Jesus and the ultimate sacrifice he made to give us a better life and renewed relationship with God.
Communion keeps us focused on the cross. In this week of Memorial Day, make a mental memorial and focus on what Jesus has done for you. Remember his payment for your sin.
God, thank you for sending your only son to die a sinner's death for me. I don't deserve your grace and mercy, and yet you gave them. I ask that you help me to stay focused on you. To remember that you paid it all, that I don't have to earn my salvation. In Jesus' name, Amen.