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When we discuss communion, most people think of a church service.  The Greek word for communion is koinōnia, meaning fellowship. Communion is a time to celebrate the Lord’s supper.  When Jesus had his last supper with his disciples, it wasn’t a formal church service; he was breaking bread or having dinner with his friends.  

Too many times, we make communion something it’s not.  Communion is more than just something we do on the first Sunday of the month. It holds great spiritual truths that will impact our lives. If we pay attention to them, we can receive great benefits.  

We are supposed to live having our lives marked by understanding that Jesus is risen from the dead. Communion is to remind us of the death of the Lord Jesus. It is for us to think about what he has done for us.  So that we can understand the price he paid for our sins. But Jesus’ death on the cross was not the end of the story.  

It was because of his death on the cross and that he was resurrected that we can celebrate the victory that he won, not only for himself but for all who will believe in him.

When we come to the communion table, it is a time of identification with Christ and understanding the substitution that Christ made for us.  The cross is often referred to as the great substitution.  

Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. NKJV    

Christ died for us. Everything that took place at the cross should have happened to me, but Jesus became my substitute. In the same way, we go to a store to make an exchange, we bring one thing and receive something else in return. That is the picture of what Jesus has done for us: He took what was ours and gave us what was His.

What was included in this substitution?
Righteousness, for Sin
2 Corinthians. 5:21 - For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. NKJV 

Healing, for Sickness
Matthew 8:17 -  that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: "He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses." NKJV

Isaiah 53:4-5 - Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. NKJV

“Griefs” in Hebrew literally means sickness. “Sorrows” in Hebrew means pain.  He bore sickness and pain in Himself for us, so that we wouldn’t have to bear it.

Prosperity, for Poverty
2 Corinthians 8:9 - For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. NKJV 

Eternal life for Spiritual Death
Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. NKJV

As we partake of communion, we identify ourselves with Jesus.  That he paid the price, that he is our substitute. Communion is something we receive; we come to the communion table to receive from the Lord.  

It’s not enough to know Jesus was a substitution for our sin and purchased our righteousness. We have to identify with that righteousness. 

Romans 6:6 - knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. NKJV

When Jesus was crucified, so were we. We are now in him.  Everything he has won, we now have.  We identify with him through our words.  We declare it over our lives.  

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you that you loved us so much that you gave Jesus to pay the price for my sin.  I identify with the great substitution. I receive forgiveness and righteousness in exchange for my sin. I take healing instead of sickness, provision instead of lack, and salvation instead of eternal separation.  Jesus, thank you for being my substitute!