The New Covenant

Communion is not just a ceremony. For someone who has been made new, it is a weapon against the adversary in the fight of faith. When we take the bread and drink of the cup, it is more than just going through the motions of being a part of the Church. It is more than just fulfilling our duty as a follower of Christ. We must understand that we are taking part in a new covenant (1 Corinthians 11:25).

So Much More than a Contract

When we take part in communion, we must understand the two bodies—the dead and resurrected body of Jesus Christ. In taking the bread, we remember that the earthly body of our Savior was broken for us (1 Corinthians 11:24). We recall something that has already been done. As He conquered death on the cross, the Lord took away our poverty, sickness, sin, shame, and all the things that are hindering us from experiencing the fullness of His redemption. This is what we acknowledge when we break bread.

After this step, we take of the cup. For many of us, we have always known this as “the blood of Jesus”. But this is not exactly the case. What we drink is the cup of the new covenant already fulfilled by the shedding of Jesus’ blood. Centuries ago, the highest form of contract is a blood contract. This kind of agreement seals the deal between the parties involved for generations. In taking the cup of the new covenant, Jesus’ blood solidifies the agreement. But here’s a catch: to experience the full benefits of this new covenant, a believer must acknowledge that he or she has already been made new. It says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Many believers miss out on the blessing of communion because they are hindered by the old. By faith, one must live as God’s Word says—they have already been made new.

Receiving the Benefits of Communion

Now that we understand the depth of the old and new covenant that we experience when we take of the bread and the cup, we are entitled to receive the benefits of salvation. Others may not understand it but “…unto us who are saved, it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18) Even if most of us look unqualified or lacking in the eyes of those in the world, God’s supremacy in our lives and His grace at work leads us to do far more than what we can do by ourselves. When we take communion, we are proclaiming what He has done and what He can do through us. Instead of keeping silent and going about our business as if nothing has happened, we must be ready to go all out in faith, confident in the finished work of Christ.

Another benefit of communion is that the new creation receives God’s wisdom. As one continues to hear the Word, learning and living it, their faith grows (Romans 10:17). This enables them to truly live as salt and light of the world. Wisdom gives them power to move forward in their lives that those who do not know God might not understand.

Healing is also a benefit those who are saved can gain from the act of communion. By His wounds, we have been healed (1 Peter 2:24). Though there are a myriad of treatments available to treat an illness, it is ultimately God’s power that can restore and even renew a person’s body. Those who proclaim their salvation in Christ Jesus must depend that He alone can provide healing.

Every opportunity we have to take part in communion, let us do so with gratitude and faith. Instead of going through the motions, it is good to reflect on what the new covenant means to us. We can praise our Lord all the more now that we have experienced His presence.

Receiving the Benefits of Communion
Now that we understand the depth of the old and new covenant that we experience when we
take of the bread and the cup, we are entitled to receive the benefits of salvation. Others may
not understand it but “…unto us who are saved, it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)
Even if most of us look unqualified or lacking in the eyes of those in the world, God’s supremacy
in our lives and His grace at work leads us to do far more than what we can do by ourselves.
When we take communion, we are proclaiming what He has done and what He can do
through us. Instead of keeping silent and going about our business as if nothing has happened,
we must be ready to go all out in faith, confident in the finished work of Christ.
Another benefit of communion is that the new creation receives God’s wisdom. As one
continues to hear the Word, learning and living it, their faith grows (Romans 10:17). This
enables them to truly live as salt and light of the world. Wisdom gives them power to move
forward in their lives that those who do not know God might not understand.

Healing is also a benefit those who are saved can gain from the act of communion. By His
wounds, we have been healed (1 Peter 2:24). Though there are a myriad of treatments
available to treat an illness, it is ultimately God’s power that can restore and even renew a
person’s body. Those who proclaim their salvation in Christ Jesus must depend that He alone
can provide healing.

So on Sundays or on any other day that we take of the bread and the cup, we must make it a
point to remember the wonderful things our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in His death and
resurrection. For us who have been made new, we can hold on to this: “But if the Spirit of him
that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall
also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” (Romans 8:11)
Every opportunity we have to take part in communion, let us do so with gratitude and faith.
Instead of going through the motions, it is good to reflect on what the new covenant means to
us. We can praise our Lord all the more now that we have experienced His presence.