The Most Important Five Minutes Each Week
For approximately five minutes each Sunday, the Santee church of Christ engages in a memorial which is more important than any other activity in which any person could engage. And, at churches throughout the world, collected disciples gather together on the same day to do the same thing. This memorial is designed to bring to remembrance the most important series of events in the world -- Jesus' life, His teachings, His example, His cruel death, His burial, and His glorious resurrection to life.
Even though the time we spend eating the bread and drinking what symbolizes Christ's blood is short, partakers and witnesses of the "Lord's Supper" must recognize and appreciate the incredible importance of this event. We often we use the word "communion" to describe this event and the usage of this word is indeed appropriate.
Paul uses the word "communion" twice in reference to eating the "bread we break" and drinking the "cup of blessing" (I Corinthians 10:16). Communion is defined as a partnership wherein communication occurs. An understanding of that definition helps us to really appreciate the significant importance of the time we spend each Lord's Day eating the bread and drinking the cup.
While communing together, we are remembering our Savior and His incredible sacrifice while also speaking to one another. In fact, part of our communion experience is centered on proclaiming Jesus' death until He returns (I Corinthians 11:26). Since New Testament Christians observed the memorial each first day of the week, we do the same. And with that in mind, we have to be careful so as to not grow casual in our approach to the Lord's Supper in light of its frequent observance.
The time spent eating and drinking, praying and reflecting, singing songs about Jesus' love, and examining our own lives and how we are doing is the most important five minutes of the week. Paul reminds us that to have a lax attitude toward communion will be detrimental. He writes, "whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup... in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord" (I Corinthians 11:27).
On this and on all Lord's Days, we look forward to remembering our Savior through the memorial feast. When this day is over, we'll begin looking forward to the next Lord's Day. And each Lord's Day wherein we gather to commune, we will always appreciate the moments we have together remembering the great sacrifice of our glorious Father and His gracious Son.