Chapter 11: Embody Through Communion
As we near the end of our study of The Way of the Wordsmith, we will take a closer look at two key moments that occurred on the day of Jesus’ unjust arrest. The first is the focus of this chapter, and the second will be addressed in Chapter 13. As promised in the Introduction, this book has maintained a consistent rhythm across the three parts we have completed. The first chapter of each part highlights an example of Jesus’ mastery of communication found in Scripture, framed through the structure of a sermon. The second focuses on a particular discipline that, when applied, deepens your understanding of God’s heart for you and, in turn, strengthens your ability to connect with others. The third is highly practical, outlining how we can apply these principles in our everyday lives. As we continue exploring the importance of embodying the words we speak, we will take a closer look at the practice Jesus gave His disciples—communion—which foreshadowed what would ultimately happen to His body the following day.
Thus far, the disciplines we have discussed—confession, serving, and studying God’s Word—share a foundation that is widely embraced by the majority of the body of Christ. However, when it comes to communion (also known as the Eucharist), there is a wide range of opinions and beliefs regarding what the sacrament represents, how it should be taken, and who should be allowed to participate.
The goal of this book is not to provide a deep theological discourse but rather to offer a basic overview of how God works through His people to ensure His message can be heard. However, to reduce any ambiguity, it is important to clarify three foundational beliefs upon which this chapter is built, based on Jesus’ instructions during the Last Supper in Matthew’s Gospel:
“Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” (Matthew 26:26-29 ESV).
Belief #1) Communion Is Symbolic: Viewing something as symbolic does not mean it is not sacred. Transubstantiation, a Catholic belief, holds that the bread and wine become the literal body and blood of Jesus once blessed by a priest. However, this belief is not supported by Scripture. Jesus did not remove flesh at the table for His disciples to eat, nor did He draw blood for them to drink. Instead, He used the bread and wine as symbols of His body, which would soon be broken on the cross, and His blood, which would be poured out for the forgiveness of sins.
Belief #2) Communion Is Accessible: Some Christian circles limit who is allowed to take communion, often based on whether an individual has been confirmed within a specific denomination. While examining one’s heart before taking communion is important, there is no biblical basis for restricting who may partake. Although it is unclear whether Judas Iscariot—the one who would betray Jesus later that night—participated in communion, we do know that every disciple at the table had sinned or would eventually betray Jesus in some way. Yet despite their failures, all were welcome at the table.
Belief #3) Communion Is Personal: Like many aspects of following Jesus, communion is both universal and personal. It is universal because Jesus’ sacrifice and the pathway to the Father are available to everyone. At the same time, His sacrifice is deeply personal for each believer. Communion is not limited to a church service—you can partake at home, at work, or even on the road. Yes, Jesus died for all, but He also died for you.
Now that we have established a basic theological framework, we will turn our attention to two important aspects to consider before partaking in communion: 1) The Journey of Communion, and 2) The Joy of Communion.
The Journey Of Communion: Going Back To The Garden
Even though the practice of communion as we know it today began at what is now called the Last Supper, it is important to understand that the foundational principles of this sacred practice began much earlier—back in the Garden of Eden. As we have explored throughout this book, God introduces three key themes after Adam and Eve’s sin in Genesis 3:
The Offspring: “…he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” (Gen. 3:15c ESV).
The Sacrifice: “And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them…” (Gen. 3:21a ESV).
The Tree: “…take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever…” (Gen. 3:22b ESV).
We explored "The Offspring" in Chapter 10, and as you may have already guessed, the focus of this chapter is "The Sacrifice." When Adam and Eve's eyes were opened to the reality of their nakedness and vulnerability, God covered them with the skin of an animal. As we journey through the Bible from Genesis 3 onward, we see the theme of sacrifice reappear repeatedly, particularly in these three key moments:
The Exodus: When Jesus introduced the practice of communion in Matthew 26, His Jewish followers would have immediately connected it to the Exodus story they had known since childhood. Their ancestors had been enslaved in Egypt, and God called Moses to lead them to freedom. After nine devastating plagues failed to convince Pharaoh to release God’s people, a final, horrific plague would set the stage for their deliverance: the death of every firstborn human and animal in the land. However, God gave the Israelites special instructions—each household was to sacrifice a lamb and place its blood on their doorposts. Those who obeyed would be spared, as God would "pass over" their homes. Through the shedding of blood, God's people were saved (Exodus 12).
The Temple: As discussed in Chapter 2, after the Israelites were freed from Egypt, God established a new covenant with them, which included laws regarding the regular offering of sacrifices by a High Priest on behalf of the people. These sacrifices served as a continual reminder of the salvation they had experienced in Egypt. Initially performed in a portable tabernacle, these offerings later took place in the grand temple of Jerusalem.
The Cross: Jesus is the perfect Lamb of God (John 1:29), the ultimate High Priest (Hebrews 4:14), the Firstborn of all creation (Colossians 1:15), and the Door to the Father (John 10:9). On the cross, the Lamb, the Priest, the Firstborn, and the Door all came together in perfect fulfillment of the foreshadowing that began in Egypt.
Now, the theme of sacrifice continues in our lives today, as highlighted in the Apostle Paul’s exhortation to the Roman church:
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1 ESV).
When you choose to embrace The Way of the Wordsmith, you are choosing a life of sacrifice—laying down your own selfish desires to share the hope of Jesus Christ with the hurting people in your world. Hopefully, the next time you take communion, your eyes will be opened anew to the incredible story of sacrifice and redemption that you are privileged to partake in!
The Joy Of Communion: The Power Of Choosing To Remember
Now that we understand the journey of communion, from Eden to our everyday lives, we are now ready to engage and partake ourselves. Grab any juice and bread that is available to you, find a space with minimal distractions, and take your time eating and drinking while reflecting on Jesus’ body being broken for you and His blood being poured out for you. It really is that simple, but that does not mean it is not powerful.
1) It Clarifies The Complex: All of the Bible—its stories, themes, principles, and commands—are fulfilled within the action of communion. After all, all of God’s Word is ultimately pointing to Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, so the practice of communion is a consistent decision to focus on the heart of our message. It is all about Jesus.
2) It Helps The Hurt: Life is painful. The promise of salvation is not a promise to avoid hurt; it is a promise of hope in the midst of hurt. When the trials and tribulations of life arise, communion is a beautiful way to gain perspective. After all, the hurt we experience today pales in comparison to the pain Jesus endured on the cross. In addition to the excruciating physical pain of the crucifixion, He also bore the weight and shame of all humanity’s past, present, and future sins. We should not ignore the pain we experience, but we should view it in light of the hurt Jesus endured.
3) It Steadies The Ship: Life can be chaotic and confusing, especially for those of us who desire to serve as communicators of His message. When we choose to quiet the noise of this life and focus exclusively on the bread and the wine, all of a sudden, the storms seem to calm. It does not mean the storm goes away, but it does mean we can navigate it with the awareness that we lead from victory, not for victory.
Conclusion: The Greatest Example Of Embodied Words
When Jesus was nailed to the cross, He was performing the ultimate validation of the message He had been preaching. As blood poured from His body, it was now clear that He really believed what He was saying—all the way to the grave.
As we reflect on the journey and joy of communion, we are reminded that it is more than just a ritual—it is a powerful practice that invites us to embody the very words we speak. By embracing this practice, we gain clarity in the complexity of Scripture, find healing for our hurts, and steadiness amidst the storms of life. As wordsmiths, may we faithfully embody the truth of communion, living out the message we share with the world.
