Over the centuries, the bread and wine we share in remembrance of Jesus’ crucifixion have been called many things: the Eucharist, the Lord’s Supper, the sacrament—and my favourite, Communion. The word itself speaks of relational intimacy—think of community or communal—and captures the heart of why we eat and drink each week.

Drawing Near to God

Communion is a moment to remember Jesus. We recall his suffering and death for us, and draw near to God in our hearts. In this sense, it is a memorial—we eat and drink to remember and make Jesus’ sacrifice the centre of our gathering. As he instructed, “Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22.19)

So, taking Communion is an act of worshipful obedience to Christ. We say in effect, 'Lord, you are worth remembering. I return to you and make the cross the centre of my life once again.'

It’s a relational act—an opportunity to remember, to draw near to God, and to glorify him as we do so.

Drawing Near to Us

However, if Communion were only about our drawing near to God, it might feel like a one-sided relationship—God standing at a distance while we try to inch closer. Yet this couldn’t be further from the truth. While we edge towards him with mustard-seed faith, he races out to meet us and comfort us with his presence.

In particular, Jesus draws near to us through Communion. He is present with us as we share it. The bread and wine don’t become his literal body and blood (we’re not Catholics, after all), but Christ is truly and spiritually present in them. And where he is present, fresh happiness and rejuvenation flow. Just as bread and wine nourish our bodies, through the Lord’s Supper, Jesus nourishes our souls.

How exactly does he do this? Well, bread and wine are more tangible than words and ideas. They speak concrete words of truth to our often wavering, doubtful minds. Undeniable taste and texture, telling undeniable truths. As writer and theologian Tim Chester put it, “[Jesus] could have said, Say this in remembrance of me, or Think this… But he knows how battered by life we can be. So he gives bread and wine as physical reminders of his love.”

Communion is a channel of God’s grace—a tangible means by which he makes himself known. Of course, God is always with us, but in eating and drinking, we feel that presence more deeply. Again, Chester describes it beautifully...

“A good husband will tell his wife that he loves her, and Christ tells us that he loves us in the gospel message. But a good husband will also hug his wife as a physical demonstration of his commitment to her. Communion is Christ’s reassuring hug.”

So, as you take Communion this Sunday, let Jesus reassure you with his presence. He loves you more than you can imagine.