What does it mean to “take and eat” which we usually consider in the practice of communion? While communion is applicable, there is a much deeper significance as well. This expression of Messiah was in reference to His place as our Passover Lamb so that we would receive the atonement He has provided for us and “eat” of it. The physical picture of this was provided as Israel was finally released from Egypt, killing the lamb, and putting the blood on the doorposts of each household. Spiritually, by placing the blood of Messiah on the doorposts of our lives, we take shelter in Him and the angel of death passes over us, too. When we practice communion, we remember Him. We declare that we have chosen to come into His house, under His covering as His children, to walk after Him as the Israelites walked after Him. (1 Corinthians 10: 3-4).
So, this taking and eating is about far more than the physical ceremony or ritual act to which we are accustomed. It is not a magical impartation, arguments about transubstantiation and consubstantiation notwithstanding!
I was embarrassed years ago when we had to confront the issue of a few members of our assembly being more focused on their food preparation for snack time than they were on the worship and study. It seemed so trivial to be concerned about it! But when we declared a month’s susp ...
