Last Sunday, as with every Sunday, I found myself holding a piece of bread that had been dipped in wine, prayerfully contemplating everything it represents. Once again, my heart was re-positioned and reminded of all of the truths conveyed through communion. This simple meal is immensely powerful and theologically rich. It reminds us of the sacrifice that Christ made in dying for us and the sacrifice the Father made in giving up His only Son. Sin created a divide that needed to be overcome; justice was imperative.

In the Old Testament, this was achieved through sacrifices at the temple (Lev 4:1-5:13) (Lev 7:11-36). But through Jesus, a true and better sacrifice was provided. Through the cross, the Lord demonstrates his faithfulness to his people. As a loving Father and kind King, he always gives His people what they need (Gen 22:1-18) (Matt 7:11). Far surpassing the temporary atonement provided by animal sacrifices though, Christ, the Lamb, was the full and final sacrifice. With his death, it was finished (John 19:30) (Matt 27:51). True and better re-establishment and reconciliation is achieved through the New Covenant, secured by the cross.

The value and impact of communion extends to deeper levels, though. The sacrament of communion was given to the disciples at the time of Passover (Matt 26:17) (Luke 22:7). This intentional timing provides context into the depths of what was achieved and secured by Christ’s death on the cross. When the Passover feast was instituted, a lamb was slain for each household (Ex 12:1-3). The blood of the lamb was smeared on the door post, representing redemption (Ex 12:7). Then the meat of the Lamb was eaten by the family, representing sanctification from sin (Ex 12:8). Just so, Communion wine, representing Christ’s blood, reminds us that we are redeemed (Matt 26:27) (Luke 22:20). The bread of communion, representing Christ’s flesh, reminds us that we are sanctified (Matt 26:26) (Luke 22:19). When we genuinely bring our hearts to a place of processing through and accepting the spiritual realities that we are redeemed and sanctified, our hearts are freed to walk in greater levels of freedom and power in life and ministry (Matt 28:19-20).

As we remember and identify with Christ in his death and embrace the healing and sanctification that was purchased for us, we are made increasingly into His image. Christ, being fully man, is the identity maker of the church. His life is the fulfillment of who we are meant to be and how we are meant to posture our hearts before the Lord. Following his model of prayer, fasting, community, discipleship and service leads us into the fulfillment of who are meant to be as God’s people (Eph 4:24) (Col 3:10) (2 Cor 3:18). This transformation is a beautiful and powerful process.

The power of this transformation is founded in our covenant with God (Lev 26:3-11) (Hebrews 8:8-12). This covenant, allowing our hearts to approach the Lord and receive immeasurable blessings, is established and finds definition through the blood Christ shed at Calvary (Luke 22:20) (Jer 31:31-36). We can be sure of the strength of this covenant to the infinite and inexhaustible degree that His blood provides ransom of our souls. Not only does Christ’s blood secure our covenant with the Lord, but it is the nourishment of this covenant (Gal 3:13-20). The Lord, in covenant relationship with the people of Israel, provided manna or bread for them from heaven as they traveled through the wilderness (Ex 16:4). Taking communion brings refreshing and nourishment to our relationship with the Lord. Communion thus establishes and edifies our covenant relationship with God.

As we posture our hearts before the Lord through the sacrament of communion, this rhythm shapes and forms us. Through this meal, we can celebrate, mourn, heal, grow, relate and worship. Over time, our hearts become rooted in the truths proclaimed through communion. Rehearsing the Gospel, the good news of salvation, beckons our hearts to consistency in relationship and helps us overcome the areas where we are prone to be forgetful or fickle. We remember that we are sanctified, purified, healed, atoned, made whole. We remember who Christ is, we remember who we are in Him, and the covenant we have with Him. This meal that the Lord has set before is bountiful and rich, causing our hearts to come alive before the Living God. As our hearts come alive before Him, we come to know Him. Surely, there is nothing greater than this.