The Sacred Table: Communion, Community, and Christ's Presence

The Sacred Table: Communion, Community, and Christ's Presence

Pastor Kevin Rutledge


In the Christian tradition, few practices hold as much significance as the act of communion. This sacred meal, instituted by Jesus himself, carries profound meaning that extends far beyond the simple act of eating bread and drinking wine (or juice). It's a practice that invites us to remember, to gather, and to experience the presence of Christ in a tangible way.

The importance of communion cannot be overstated. Early church leaders, like John Wesley, emphasized the need for frequent participation in this holy meal. Wesley went so far as to encourage his followers to partake in communion every time they gathered, viewing it as an essential act of obedience to Christ's command: "Do this in remembrance of me."

But why is communion so crucial to our faith journey? Let's explore some of the reasons:

  1. Obedience to Christ's Command

At its most basic level, participating in communion is an act of obedience. Jesus explicitly instructed his disciples to continue this practice in remembrance of him. By gathering around the communion table, we're saying, "Jesus, you've told me to do this, and I want to follow your commands."

  1. A Means of Grace

In Methodist tradition, communion is considered a "means of grace" - a tool God has given us to help our relationship with Him flourish. Just as a plant needs water and sunlight to grow, our spiritual lives need nourishment. Communion, along with prayer, scripture reading, and worship, provides that spiritual sustenance.

  1. A Powerful Reminder

The communion liturgy serves as a potent reminder of God's actions throughout history. It recalls God's deliverance of His people, Jesus' last supper with his disciples, and Christ's sacrifice on the cross. It also reminds us of our own frailty and need for grace, as we remember that even Jesus' closest followers betrayed and abandoned him.

  1. A Foretaste of Heaven

When we participate in communion, we get a glimpse of the heavenly banquet that awaits us. Jesus spoke of drinking wine anew in his Father's kingdom, and communion gives us a foretaste of that glorious future.

  1. Experiencing Christ's Presence

Through the mystery of communion, we expect to experience Christ's presence in a unique way. While we may not believe the elements physically change, we anticipate encountering Jesus in the breaking of bread and sharing of the cup.

  1. A Call to Inclusivity

The communion table serves as a powerful metaphor for inclusivity in the Christian community. Just as we notice empty chairs at our family dinner tables, we should be aware of who's missing from our communion gatherings. Who hasn't been invited? Who feels unworthy to attend?

It's crucial to remember that Christ's invitation to the table is open to all who seek Him. The only condition is a desire to follow Jesus and experience His presence. Too often, people hold themselves back, feeling unworthy. But if we wait until we're "ready" or "worthy," we'll never come at all.

  1. A Model for Our Daily Lives

The practice of communion isn't meant to be confined to church walls. It should shape how we live our lives outside of formal worship settings. Here are a few ways we can embody the spirit of communion in our daily lives:

  • Invite others to our tables: Just as Christ invites us to His table, we can extend hospitality to others. Who can we welcome into our homes and lives?

  • Notice who's missing: In our social circles, workplaces, and communities, who's not represented? How can we reach out to those who are different from us?

  • Create inclusive spaces: Our gatherings should reflect the diversity of God's kingdom. Are we making efforts to connect with people of different backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences?

  • Share what we have: Communion is about breaking bread together. How can we share our resources, time, and love with others?

  • Remember and look forward: As we go about our days, we can practice remembering God's faithfulness in the past while looking forward to His promises for the future.

The power of communion lies not in the physical elements themselves, but in the act of sharing, remembering, and experiencing God's love together. When we break bread with others, we create space for Christ's transformative presence.

It's worth noting that Jesus shared His last meal with those who would soon betray and abandon Him. This serves as a powerful reminder that God's love and invitation extend even to those we might consider unworthy - including ourselves when we feel we've fallen short.

As we reflect on the meaning of communion, let's challenge ourselves to live out its principles daily. How can we create "communion moments" in our regular interactions? How can we make our dinner tables, coffee dates, and casual encounters reflections of Christ's inclusive love?

Remember, every time we share a meal, we have the opportunity to experience a taste of that heavenly banquet. We can invite Christ's presence into our midst, offer hospitality to others, and bridge divides that keep us separated.

In a world often marked by division and exclusion, the practice of communion offers a radical alternative. It reminds us that we're all welcome at God's table, that Christ's love knows no bounds, and that true transformation happens when we gather together in His name.

So, the next time you participate in communion - whether in a formal church setting or simply sharing a meal with others - pause to consider its deeper meaning. Allow yourself to be transformed by the experience, and carry that transformative power into your daily life. For in doing so, we truly become the body of Christ, broken and shared for the world.


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Why do we gather for worship? In a world where we can connect with God anywhere, anytime, what's the purpose of coming together in a physical space? These are questions that challenge us to reflect on the true meaning and impact of corporate worship in our lives. It's easy to fall into the mindset that God is only present in church, that our spiritual lives are compartmentalized to Sunday mornings. We may give God fleeting thoughts throughout the week, but often fail to recognize His constant presence in every moment. This limited view of worship can lead us to treat it as a duty—something we do for an hour each week before returning to our "real" lives. But what if worship is meant to be so much more? The truth is, we don't come together simply to worship God—though that's certainly part of it. We gather to be shaped by our worship, to be transformed in ways that impact how we live when we leave the building. Our time of corporate worship should change our hearts, broaden our perspectives, and equip us to live differently in the world. Consider how gathering with diverse believers challenges us to expand our view of the global church. When we worship alongside those who may not look like us, believe exactly as we do, or come from our background, we get a glimpse of what the triumphant church in heaven will look like—a multitude from every nation, tribe, and tongue. This experience breaks us out of our tendency to surround ourselves only with those who are similar to us. Our acts of worship also shape us in practical ways: Offering our tithes and gifts teaches us to live generously beyond the walls of the church. Reading Scripture together equips us to encounter God's Word on our own throughout the week. Praying for one another's joys and sorrows reminds us that God is at work in the world and that He hears our prayers. Receiving a benediction and blessing sends us out with strength for the days ahead. The blessing we receive isn't just for our own benefit. Throughout Scripture, we see that God blesses His people so that they can be a blessing to others. From Abraham to the nation of Israel, God's pattern is clear: "I will bless you... so that you will be a blessing" (Genesis 12:2). As we leave our time of worship, we should overflow with blessing to everyone we encounter. This leads us to a crucial question: If our lives are no different when we walk out of church than when we walked in, what was the point? If we haven't truly encountered the living God, been challenged by His Word, or been moved to live differently as His disciples, then our time together has missed the mark. As followers of Christ, we believe that our faith journey is incremental. We don't become perfect the moment we decide to follow Jesus. Instead, it's a daily process of growing in our love for God, for His people, and for His creation. Each day, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we strive to demonstrate that love more fully in our words and actions. This is the essence of discipleship—a continual journey of becoming more like Christ. While we believe it's possible to be made perfect in love during our earthly lives, it's not something we can achieve on our own or claim for ourselves. As John Wesley wisely noted, those who believed they had attained perfection in love were often the furthest from it. So why do we gather? We come together to be commissioned, to be reminded of Jesus' call to His disciples: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel" (Mark 16:15). This isn't about forcing our faith on others or cornering unwilling listeners. Rather, it's about being prepared to engage with those who are questioning, searching for meaning, or struggling to find hope. Despite what headlines might suggest, the world isn't dominated by militant atheists or those adamantly opposed to faith. Instead, there are countless individuals who are simply unsure, who have genuine questions about life's purpose and meaning. Our call is to live in such a way that our faith stands out—demonstrating joy, peace, and an unshakable assurance grounded in our relationship with God. Your story of faith doesn't have to be a dramatic before-and-after tale. Perhaps you've grown up in the church, gradually deepening your relationship with Christ over time. That journey is just as powerful and worth sharing. The key is to reflect on how your time in worship impacts the other 167 hours of your week. As our worship experience shapes us, it should naturally overflow into a different kind of worship outside the church walls: Giving thanks to God for His blessings Offering hope to the hopeless Praying for those who are hurting Seeking out those who are lost or questioning Our task isn't to have all the answers or to dictate what others should believe. Instead, we're called to listen, to walk alongside those who are searching, and to share how God has worked in our own lives. This is how we can see transformation and healing in our communities. Ultimately, our weekly gathering serves to recharge us spiritually. When the world beats us down and we feel our spiritual batteries draining, we come together again to pray, sing, hear God's Word, and be blessed and sent out anew. We remind each other of who we are in Christ and find the strength, hope, and courage we need for the week ahead. This is why we gather. This is why we worship. Not just as an end in itself, but as a means of becoming who God has called us to be—His hands and feet in a world that desperately needs His love. As we leave our time of worship, may we go with this commission ringing in our ears: to welcome the unwanted, to love the unloved, and if they won't come to us, to go to them. Let our worship be more than a weekly ritual. Let it be the catalyst that transforms our lives and, through us, brings hope and healing to our world.
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