We baptists are usually not very ceremonial. Most, including myself, recognize two ordinances of the church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Regarding baptism, we’re immersers, believing that is the biblical model. Both baptism and the Lord’s Supper are beautiful outward expressions of an inward event. They are symbolic acts full of deep meaning, if they are genuine. They have no magical powers for salvation, and if not practiced as a symbolic result of salvation, you have done nothing more than get wet, with baptism, or had a cracker and juice, with communion.

Jesus and His disciples were gathered together in the upper room to celebrate Passover when Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper. He broke and blessed the unleavened bread of Passover and said it was his body that was broken for us and that they should eat. He blessed the cup and told them all to drink of it as it was his blood which was shed for remission of sins. And so the symbols used in passover are given an even deeper meaning in the Lord’s Supper. Also on the table would have been bitter herbs and a fruit mixture, reminiscent of the bitter struggle of the Hebrew children and the mortar they used in conjunction with their bricks under slavery, respectively. Everything had a meaning and a purpose.

It is a beautiful event when a church celebrates the Lord’s Supper. At our church, I try to schedule the remembrance often enough that we are not neglectful of it, yet not so often that it looses its specialness. I shoot for once a quarter, and usually it is on a 5th Sunday, since there is one per quarter, though we do celebrate it in conjunction with certain Christian events during the year, Easter especially. It’s a time of solemnity, introspection, and deep fellowship, and it’s nice to share that as we remember the work of Christ.

The important message fo Passoever was, “Is there blood?” That remains the message today. “Is there blood?” John the Baptist looked at Christ and said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Christ is the one, true Passover lamb given for many. Can we say His blood covers us today? Is there blood? It’s the only question that really matters.