What is the importance of communion?

Communion is one of the core doctrines found in most churches.  For example, the Roman Catholic Church regularly celebrates the Eucharist (the sacrament of communion) as a centerpiece for their Mass (religious services).  On the other end of the spectrum, most Baptist churches periodically observe the ordinance of communion as part of their religious services.  There are also numerous positions on communion between the two aforementioned positions, to include “open” or “closed” communion and whether the elements of bread and wine are the symbolic or consecrated body and blood of Jesus Christ.  With so many apparent differences, what are the important focal points for communion?  

For starters, communion is the Christian observance or celebration (Eucharist) in which bread and wine (or the symbolic equivalents thereof [e.g., wafers and/or grape juice]) are consecrated and received as elements of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, done in remembrance of his New Covenant.  The books of Matthew, Mark and Luke all give similar accounts of Jesus’ words concerning communion and the New Covenant.  Matthew describes how Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples, “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’  Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you.  This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins….’” (Matthew 26:26-28 NIV)  In addition, Luke includes the words, “…do this in remembrance of me.”  (Luke 22:19 NIV) 

What does the element of unleavened bread represent?  The use of unleavened bread (or bread without yeast) goes back to the days of Moses in the land of Egypt.  In preparation for the Passover, the Lord instructed Moses and Aaron to have the people celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread by avoiding any food with yeast and eating only unleavened bread.  During this time of preparation, any person who broke this ordinance – by eating yeast –was cut off from the community of Israel. (Exodus 12:14-20)  In the Book of Matthew, Jesus also instructed his disciples to be on guard against the “yeast” (or teachings) of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:5-6, 12)  In the same manner that the people prepared for the Passover by avoiding yeast, Jesus Christ prepared himself for being the perfect sacrifice for fulfilling the New Covenant by being holy, blameless, pure, and set apart from sinners. (Hebrews 7:22-28)  Thus, the unleavened bread of communion represents the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ and the eternal salvation it brings to all who believe in him as their personal Lord and Savior.

What does the element of wine represent?  Much like unleavened bread, the reference to wine also goes back to the days of Moses in the land of Egypt.  In preparation of the Passover, the Lord also instructed Moses and Aaron to have the people protect their households – from the judgment of God against the false gods of Egypt – by taking the blood of a Passover lamb and placing it over the top and both sides of their doorframes.  (Exodus 12:21-23, 46)  In like manner that the Israelites prepared for the Passover, Jesus Christ prepared himself for fulfilling the New Covenant as our Passover lamb by having no “yeast” or sin. (John 19:31-37; 6:51-58; Exodus 34:25; I Corinthians 5:7)  Just like the blood of sacrificed animals “sprinkled” on people during the Old Covenant sanctified them for entry into the Most Holy Place, the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ “sprinkled” on the hearts of believers in the New Covenant allows them to have eternal fellowship with God. (Hebrews 9:11-14; 10:8-14, 19-22; I John 2:1-2) 

In conclusion, communion is an important part of a believer’s walk in Christ.  The partaking of communion should not be taken lightly.  The Apostle Paul explains that we should examine ourselves before communion, to personally determine if we have any unresolved conflicts to settle prior to participation. (I Corinthians 11:27-29)  Overall, while partaking in communion, we need to reflect on the importance of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made in fulfilling the promise of the New Covenant…eternal fellowship with God for all who make Jesus their personal Lord and Savior.