[ Back ] [ Next ]

Holy Communion

Jesus Christ reveals his relationship to the church in the picture of a marriage covenant. The church is the bride; he is the bridegroom. During the time of Jesus, a marriage covenant was sealed by a cup of wine. The groom agreed to the marriage and the bride-price by taking a sip and saying, “I submit to the marriage covenant. I will go to my father’s house and prepare a room. Wait for me, and I will return

for you.” The bride, in turn, took a sip and said, “I accept this marriage covenant. I will be faithful and wait for you.”

We, like the bride, come to the Lord’s Table and receive Holy Communion with faith, eagerness, and anticipation. Christ will return and claim us as his own. Jesus willingly entered into a marriage covenant by paying the ultimate bride-price—his death on the cross. Through his body and blood, we receive forgiveness of sins. Holy Communion now becomes a real, visible presence of Jesus. Receiving Jesus, in a tangible and concrete way, strengthens our faith. We are assured of God’s forgiveness, are granted hope in his return, and express our unity in faith with other believers.

The rich texts and melodic strains of the liturgy during Holy Communion surround our hearts with great reverence and joy. The receiving of the Sacrament begins with the Preface. The words are spoken in anticipation of receiving God’s means of grace. The Proper Preface follows, connecting the worship service with the thought of the day or season.

The congregation now joins dramatically in the song of the angels: “Holy, Holy, Holy.” Deriving its name from the Latin word for holy, the Sanctus is an ancient hymn of adoration and praise. The Words of Institution (Verba) prepare the congregation for the feast of God’s forgiveness. The words Christ used during the Last Supper are repeated again for the congregation to hear. The pastor then recites the ancient blessing of the Pax Domini, declaring, “The peace of the Lord be with you always.”

Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, is the one everlasting sacrifice for our sins. We sing “O Christ, Lamb of God” (Agnus Dei) to remember how the Old Testament believers used the blood of a Passover lamb as a sin offering. Christ is our Passover Lamb, who paid the full price for all our sins.

Once the Distribution of Communion has been completed, the congregation bursts into a brief hymn of thanksgiving. The traditional “Song of Simeon” (Nunc Dimittis) uses the words of Simeon in the temple (Luke 2:29-32) when he took the Christ Child in his arms and praised God.

Receiving Jesus, in a tangible and concrete way, strengthens our faith.