Holy Communion is a sacrament, a “sacred act,” which means it is God doing his job. Like a server at your favorite restaurant does their job. They “serve” you, just like God serves you in Holy Communion.
In Holy Communion, God promises the forgiveness of sins. In Holy Communion, God opens the door for a believer’s fulfilling, resurrected life today and eternally. In Holy Communion, God delivers recipients from the lies and powers of the devil.
It’s all a gift of God’s grace, through the body and blood of Jesus received by a Christian in the bread and wine (1 Corinthians 11:23-25).
Why doesn’t CrossLife Church openly invite anyone and everyone to receive Holy Communion? Isn’t that judgmental? Well, just as judgmental as your doctor telling you that the help you need for your unhealthy condition is in the form of a prescription drug.
You can’t just order it on Amazon, like anyone and everyone can order anything on Amazon. You can’t even walk into Walgreens and find it in the aisle across from the greeting cards, like anyone and everyone can do. You need a prescription. Why?
Because the drug is so powerful, it needs special attention: confirmed diagnosis of your condition by someone other than you and Google, prescribed treatment by someone who knows enough about your condition that they are recognized as a professional, specific directions for taking the medication safely and successfully, and proper identification that you are the intended recipient.
Holy Communion is powerful, so it needs special attention. The Real Presence of Jesus’ body and blood, in communion with the bread and wine, is what makes it so powerful. It is a divine, sacred act inviting sinners to feast at God’s table.
Therefore, Christians who receive Holy Communion will want to be prepared with a confirmed diagnosis of our sinfulness, God’s treatment for that sinfulness proclaimed through the gospel ministry of a church, safe and successful administration of the sacrament, and ensuring that recipients are properly identified as qualified to receive it.
Here are 4 reasons from God’s Word to prepare for Holy Communion:
“Those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves” (1 Corinthians 11:29). It is possible for a person to eat and drink Holy Communion and instead of it being a blessing, it is a judgment. Nobody wants this. Therefore, we should ask, “How do I discern the body of Christ and receive Holy Communion as God’s blessing rather than judgment?”
“Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup” (1 Corinthians 11:28). Evaluate your real, spiritual condition in preparation for receiving the divine power of Holy Communion. Just like a physical exam tells you the way things really are, a spiritual exam is appropriate every time you receive communion. How are things between you and God? Where have you sinned? Are you repentant? Has Jesus forgiven all your sins? Do you believe in the real presence? Does the grace of God cover you completely?
“So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 11:27). Here the word “unworthy” means “unqualified” or “unfitting.” If you complete your spiritual exam, and your answers are honest, true and biblical, then you are qualified to receive Holy Communion. You don’t have to graduate from sinning, rather, you are hungry and thirsty for the righteousness promised through the body and blood of Jesus. Repentant sinners are welcome to receive Holy Communion.
“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). The eating and drinking that you do in Holy Communion, connecting you to the body and blood of Jesus, is a testimony that you are connected to his death and all of its consequences. You are redeemed. You are forgiven. You are no longer cursed by guilt or controlled by evil desires. Your debt is paid in full. Jesus’ sacrificial death is accepted by God as your full payment. God loves you!
So, you are ready. Filled with Jesus at Holy Communion, you are now prepared for life beyond the sacrament. The week ahead. Years to come. And the day Jesus comes back at the final resurrection.
PRAYER: Jesus, thank you for the spiritual blessings of Holy Communion. I want to prepare more deeply and frequently, with a hunger and thirst for your righteousness that you promise to fill. I believe in the real presence of your body and blood in the bread and wine, and look forward to communing with you and my fellow believers. Amen.
DISCUSS: Ask those in your small group how they prepare for Holy Communion.