Australian scholar Rev Dr John Dickson currently serves as Professor of Biblical Studies and Public Christianity at Wheaton College in Illinois, U.S.A. After a recent stint back home in Sydney, he has just returned to the States with a large carton full of Arnott’s TimTams. Like many people who live and work in a foreign country, John clearly craves an authentic taste of home from time to time!

There is, however, infinitely richer fare that your soul can delight in anywhere in the world – the Lord’s Supper, or Holy Communion. Instituted over two thousand years ago by Christ Himself, it is a tangible way of remembering His death for our sins. The bread represents His body which was broken for us; the wine, His blood shed for us. Christians all over the world gather regularly in churches, homes, hospitals, aged care facilities, prisons and many other places to share this meal together. No matter how exactly the Lord’s Supper is celebrated, this expression of faith is universally recognisable. 

Yet it is not something to treat flippantly. 1 Corinthians 11:28 says “Everyone ought to examine themselves before eating the bread and drinking the cup.” Firstly, this means ensuring that we have genuinely trusted in Jesus Christ as the one perfect sacrifice for our sins. The meal is only of spiritual significance for those who truly believe. Secondly, we need to repent of sinful thoughts, words and deeds, because Christ died that we may live in freedom. Finally, the Lord’s Supper is not meant to be individualistic, but a point of connection with other believers. The word communion (Gr. koinonia) means “fellowship”, referring to our relationship with Christ and His people. We must be at peace around the Lord’s table – acknowledging when we have wronged fellow believers, and forgiving when they wrong us.

So until Christ returns, may we partake of His Supper in unity and faith. It’s universally available, and more spiritually edifying than a truckload of Tim Tams!