I recently shared a message I wrote over five years ago. This hardly ever happens, but I felt the Lord wanted me to share it again. Truth is, I may have needed to hear it again myself… “The Meal that Heals.”
The other day, I ran into a guy who works at our local mall. A while ago, I shared with him a story about a Christian that experienced what you might call “the fountain of youth” from taking communion, daily. Apparently, my friend took the story to heart, as he’s been taking it every day since we spoke!
The man in the story, the one who tapped into the fountain of youth, reported amazing results. He said that his original hair color was restored, and his wrinkles disappeared. He also experienced renewed strength and energy. Quite a testimony… That may seem hard to believe, but I can assure you that I have read of others who have had similar experiences in taking communion, daily.
In 1 Corinthians 11:23-34, the apostle Paul gives a scary warning about taking communion. He said it can be a dangerous thing – IF taken in an unworthy manner…not discerning the Lord’s body. Some believe Paul was referring to the disparity between the rich and the poor, the nobles and the common man. Apparently, there were some issues with the wealthy not honoring and respecting the working class of believers. Others, however, believe Paul was addressing an irreverent attitude of disrespect in the very act of taking the communion itself.
The point I want to emphasize is in 1 Corinthians 11:30: “This is the reason why many of you are weak and sick and quite a number of you have died.” (GW) Did you get that? Paul was saying that some of the believers were getting chronically ill and others had died – because they failed to discern the body of the Lord. That must have been a wake-up call for the saints at Corinth, and it should cause a chill to run down our spine, as well…especially if we thought communion was just a reminder of the Last Supper!
In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul was trying to convey the fact that taking communion is a serious thing, not to be taken lightly. If we approach it in an unworthy manner, there can be serious consequences, even premature death. However, if people were getting sick and dying from taking it the wrong way, doesn’t it make sense that the reverse could also happen? The man mentioned above (and others) experienced renewed health and healing from communion. So, is it possible that taking communion is more than just a symbolic act?
Down through the centuries, the Church has wrestled with various views on communion. Some see it as a sacred act that only the highly trained and anointed priest can perform. That, however, does not seem to be the case since the early church broke bread from house to house daily. (Acts 2:46) Others view communion as just a symbolic act with no real supernatural or spiritual power. Anyone can participate, even little children, as it just serves as a reminder of the death of Christ. Yet, just about all churches consider it a sacrament, something sacred and holy.
For me, personally, communion is more than a symbolic act. I see it as a way of receiving God’s blessing, or as Paul stated, receiving a form of judgment. When Jesus went to Calvary, He took upon Himself the sin of the world. Through His death on the cross, He paid the penalty for our sins and took upon Himself the curse that sin brought. Even though Jesus died for the sins of mankind, each person must receive His forgiveness by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8) Likewise, we can receive a gift of healing for our sickness and disease through faith. Jesus Christ provided the remedy for both sin and sickness through His suffering and death. The Bible tells us, that by His stripes, we are healed. (Isaiah 53:4; I Peter 2:24)
I genuinely believe communion is more than just a symbolic act to remind us of the Lord’s death until He returns. I see it as a point of contact, a place of faith, whereby we can receive the supernatural power of God for the healing of our body, soul, and spirit – if we examine ourselves and come to the table with faith and in holy awe.
The next time you take communion, come with faith, understanding that God has provided healing for your body and soul, as well as your spirit. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a dose of heaven’s medicine and then receive it by faith. In the realm of the Spirit, the gifts of God are readily available to all who humbly come to Him – for the remission of our sins and/or the healing of our body. But remember, like everything in God’s kingdom, it will only be received through faith. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (NKJV)
Let me leave you with these words from Jesus in Matthew 9:29, “Let it be done for you according to Your faith!” (HCSB)
