Sharing Community
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Key Verse: “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.” Selected Scripture: |
OUR LESSON INVOLVES the Lord’s Supper, which is known in Christian circles by many names, such as Eucharist, Communion, or the Lord’s Table.
The selection of the title of this lesson, ‘Sharing Community’, was intended to have us focus on the word ‘communion’. The Greek word koinonia has the meaning of ‘sharing, or participation’, and was translated in I Corinthians 10:16,17 as ‘communion’.
The English word ‘communion’ does have the meaning of an act or instance of sharing. Also, it has been defined as intimate fellowship, and as a Christian body having a common faith and discipline. It is for this reason that the word has been also divided into two words—‘common union’.
The Apostle Paul was not present with the apostles on the night that Jesus asked them to observe the Memorial of his death. Paul, however, was given many special revelations concerning God’s plan, including this one of instituting the Memorial. Therefore, his instructions are very clear, since they came from the Lord, even as Jesus had earlier given these to the other apostles. The Apostle Paul cites these in I Corinthians 11:23-26.
The emblems of unleavened bread and wine selected by Jesus that night were to represent his body, broken for us, and his blood shed for us. This is the primary significance of the emblems illustrating how we need the ransom merit of Christ to receive life. The Memorial of his death aids in the enhancement of our appreciation of his sacrifice. Another significance of these emblems is based on Scriptures such as: “If we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.”—II Tim. 2:11,12
The Apostle Paul mentions this secondary significance of the emblems to the Corinthian brethren, saying, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion [sharing or participation] of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.” (I Cor. 10:16,17) Every follower of Jesus is shown by this illustration to lose his individuality and to die with him.
Some confusion existed in Corinth about keeping the Memorial as outlined by Jesus. He instituted the Memorial using unleavened bread and wine. He had just completed keeping the feast of the Passover Lamb which was not to be observed as part of the Memorial. In Corinth the disciples had made a regular feast of the occasion, causing Paul to write: “When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper.” (I Cor. 11:20) The Lord’s Supper was to be observed at home. (vss. 21,22)
The proper observance of the Memorial was to use only the emblems, enabling brethren to acknowledge their need of Jesus as the ransom merit and their following of Christ. If we partake of the emblems with understanding, we shall not invite judgment.