The last supper and first communion

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."
Luke 22:14-20

Happy Maundy Thursday.  This is a re-post from 2006.

The first communion was at a meal. Today, we are used to having communion or the Lord's supper or the eucharist in a church service in a church building. The Jewish Passover supper was at a home or hall. Jesus last supper was in a room. The early church had pot lucks in which they celebrated communion.

When Jesus said, "do this in rememberance of me." What's the "this"? Does he mean: have a meal together, get together, or share sips of juice and bits of bread? I think that the context is as important as the elements are. I think the elements are there to point to something. I think that you can remember Jesus without getting out bread or wafers and juice or wine. I don't think Jesus point was that you have to do it a certain way and if we really believed that we have to do it the way Jesus instituted it, written in the Bible, then why don't we have the meal that goes with the loaf and cup? I believe in finding Christ in the meal. We are Christ's body here on earth and Christ is dwelling among us by The Spirit. Christ is in you and in me if you are His. I'm looking for Him among us when we gather in His name. What if we are gathering with no food or drink. Can't we still have communion? To me communion means sharing Christ's life together which can be done at the beach, in the car or in a dusty attic.

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