When I originally brought this message to the church.
The idea of allowing the unsaved to participate in the rite of Communion was a major point of contention. As a result of this one point there ensued a short (as another meeting was about to start) but rather intense debate, which if I’m honest left me somewhat rattled. The main point of discussion being that Communion was sacred and should only be available to the saved.
As our second meeting commenced I found I was totally unable to enter into worship. I couldn’t concentrate, as I had many questions bombarding my mind.
The foremost of which were, ‘Had I heard God correctly? Had the message I had delivered really been from Him? Was it important that the unsaved have access to Communion?’
In the end I resigned myself to having totally messed up and the best thing I could do was just get over it and move on, and so I prayed and asked God to help me worship him in spirit and in truth. As I prayed these words, looking towards the worship team. I saw a presence coming towards me, and as this presence came forward the Spirit of God filled me and overflowed me like a wave.
In this state of awe and wonder, I heard God ask me the question.
“Would I serve Communion to a Witch?”
Now this was not the first time I had heard this question. During the previous discussion a friend had asked me the exact same question. On that occasion I was shocked and had recoiled in horror at the idea, and said, “Of course not. No I would not serve communion to a witch.”
But here I am now full of the Spirit of God, and He is asking me this question again.
I needed to consider this potential situation carefully.
And I think to myself.
‘A practising witch would have there own rites and rituals.
They don’t need our bread or wine. If such a person came to one of our services, and wanted to participate in Communion, then they are surely looking for a different experience. Such a person would be looking for an encounter with God.’
And so, I say to God. “Yes Lord. I would share Communion with a witch.”
And as I answer, my mind is filled with a vision. And I see myself and another person to my left standing in our Town Hall square. We have two tables in front of us set for Communion, there is a basket with the bread and a full glass of wine with a bottle beside it.
Each table has a sign on it.
The table on my left says, ‘Only for the saved.’
The sign on my table says, ‘All are welcome.’
The table on my left remains empty; whereas my table has a long line of people that zigzags all the way from the Town Hall to the Cathedral.
As the significance of the elements of Communion are explained to each person – the bread representing the broken body of Christ and the wine representing his blood shed for our sins. Some take the bread are healed and they leave, satisfied that they have received all that they wanted from God. Others eat both the bread and drink the wine.
They are healed and delivered from evil spirits, and they also leave.
Whereas there are others who take both elements of Communion. They are healed, delivered and with joy are saved, recognising they have had an encounter with Jesus.
I share this with you, because Communion is not just a ritual or a religious bonding experience.
It is the Gospel.
It is an opportunity to meet with God.
To be healed, delivered and saved.
Jesus said. “It is not the healthy who need a physician.” Mark 2:15-17
For the saved Communion is a celebration, for the unsaved it is the message of salvation.
