Matthew 28:26-30 – “As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body.”  ²⁷ And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, ²⁸ for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many. ²⁹ Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.”  ³⁰ Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I was drawn to the Lord’s Supper –(The Communion Ceremony).   Sadly, it is nothing more than a ritual in most churches, quickly administered and nothing more than a segment of the program.  That is Tragic!  That is not what Jesus or the apostle Paul had in mind as they addressed it.  That is what the devil loves.

I believe that the Communion Ceremony is a connection to the Divine.  It involves a release of God’s Power and Presence.  It should never be done with haste! I have been thinking about The Reasons We Celebrate Communion:

• It is a Memorial of the Love of God – “Do This in Remembrance of Me.”
• It declares our Faith and Confidence in the Finished Work of Jesus, “We show the Lord’s Death…”
• It Acknowledges Our New Covenant Promise – “The Body and the Blood of Jesus.”
• It expresses the Unity of the Body of Christ – (1 Cor. 10:17 – “For we, though many, are one bread and one body…”
• It Demonstrates Our Confidence That Jesus is Our Spiritual Nourishment and Strength.
• It Testifies of Our Anticipation of the Return of Jesus – “’til He Come.”
• It Is An Opportunity for Self-Examination Without Condemnation (1 Cor. 11:28)
• It is a Divine Encounter with Healing, Deliverance, Salvation, Guidance, and Provision.

In Matthew 26:30, we discover that after the Supper and the Communion Ceremony, Jesus and the Disciples sang a Hymn or the Hallel.” [Psalms 113-118] Not all, but extracts from those Psalms.

Psalm 113 – “From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, the Lord’s name is to be praised.”

Psalm 114 – Focuses on their Deliverance from Egypt.

Psalm 115 – Contrasts Idols to God, He lives, they do not.

Psalm 116 – Reminds Us that God is.

Psalm 117 – Focuses on Praise.

Psalm 118 – Focuses on God’s Eternality.

At the Last Supper, Jesus infused a new meaning or expansion into the Passover Seder Meal.  The Salvation that was Promised by the Covenant was not simply deliverance from physical bondage but freedom of the Spirit.

The next time we participate in the Communion Ceremony, let’s reflect on the Big Picture, Embrace the Promises, and Expect His Presence!   If we do, it will take more than a few minutes to REMEMBER!  Don’t shortchange yourself and miss the Supernatural Provision He intended!

Have a great day, and remember God loves you and has provided all things for you!