Dear friends:At least two popular Bible teachers on television are teaching on the importance of communion, or the Lord's supper -- Perry Stone and Greg Dickow. I believe they are being led by the Spirit to give this important subject fresh emphasis to worldwide audiences. It is what the Spirit is saying. Jesus wants His people to remember, and be blessed. Perry Stone is at www.perrystone.org/home.cfm, and Greg Dickow is at www.changinglives.org/.
The Bible says:
The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:23-26, NIV)
Jesus just said, "Do this...." And He said. "Whenever...." The Bible does not say how often to do it, just do it. But Stone and Dickow suggest it be done often, even daily, and they give biblical evidence that it was done daily in the early church, and that it pleases the Lord.
Remembering the Lord's death by eating His body and drinking His blood gives the Lord glory; it helps us realize anew His great sacrifice; it brings intimacy with Him; it encourages and prompts us to recognize and confess any sin in our lives; and it brings spiritual, emotional and physical healing to us. Perry Stone even has a book on the subject titled, "The meal that heals." Many have received a physical healing from communion and sincerely meditating on all that Jesus did for us in the atonement, such as in Isaiah 53:4-5 and Matthew 8:17.
There is nothing in the Bible that says communion can only be performed by a clergyman, as some denominations dictate. That is only the tradition of men, as is the often once-a-month or less frequency. Years ago I was shocked after joining a denominational church and was told I could no longer do this at home on my own because it was "against the church rules." (Needless to say, I didn't stay in that denomination very long.) For years I have done this in my home, just my wife and I. Sometimes when alone I do it all by myself. Now we are trying to do it together daily. No matter, it is the body and blood of my Lord, and I am in remembrance, just like He said.
I am not saying that I subscribe to the Roman Catholic doctrine that the bread and the juice are literally the body and blood of Christ. On the other hand, I can tell you that it is far more than just a symbolic ceremony. Something supernatural and transcendent takes place. Do not take it lightly. Jesus is present.
For the bread, I get actual unleavened matzo bread from the kosher section of the grocery store. Leaven represents sin, and the unleavened bread represents His sinless body. It is what is used at Passover. No need for the lamb used in Egypt and later; Jesus became that lamb. And I use grape juice. Some people prefer wine, which is okay. The color of the grape juice totally intrigues me. Whether or not actually literal, I see it as the Lord's blood, and am stirred. Look at it. Observe its color and richness. Think about His blood, which saves, cleanses, heals, and, marvel of marvels, provides us eternal life!
An important point is not do take communion perfunctorily or just as a church duty or ritual. Genuinely do it "in remembrance" of Him and all that He did for you. By faith, thank Him for what He did, and by faith receive all the blessings that come from it.
Finally, remember this profound statement of Jesus, " Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him (John 6:54-56).
Let's do it often, remembering Him.
God bless you,
Jim
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