Communion Devotion: Remembering the Garden

Communion Devotion: Remembering the Garden

Communion Devotion: Remembering the Garden

Scripture Reading: Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17; Genesis 3:6-7

“And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” (Genesis 2:8-9)

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.’” (Genesis 2:15-17)

“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.” (Genesis 3:6-7)

Reflection:

As we come to the table of our Lord today, we are reminded of another communion in a garden long ago. In the beginning, God created a perfect world and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. There, they had the privilege of intimate fellowship with God and access to the tree of life. The garden was a place of abundance, peace, and communion with the Creator.

But then came the fall. Adam and Eve chose to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil, disobeying God’s command. Their decision brought sin and death into the world, breaking the perfect communion they once enjoyed with God. The once perfect relationship was marred, and humanity was separated from the source of true life.

Today, as we partake in the bread and the cup, we remember another garden—Gethsemane—where Jesus, the second Adam, prayed in anguish, submitting to the Father’s will. His obedience unto death on the cross removed the curse brought by the first Adam’s disobedience.

In the bread, we see the brokenness of Jesus’ body, which brings healing and restoration to our broken relationship with God. In the cup, we see His blood, shed for the forgiveness of our sins, restoring us to new life and communion with God.

Luke 22:19-2- say “And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

This Communion emphasizes Christ love for us, but also our love of christ and the living in close community, peace, and a commitment we have to following Jesus’ teachings. As we partake in communion, let us be reminded of our call to live in the new creation that Jesus inaugurated. Let us strive to restore relationships, seek peace, and live in the fullness of the life that Jesus offers.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your creation and for placing us in a world filled with Your goodness. We confess that, like Adam and Eve, we have sinned and broken our communion with You. But we thank You for Jesus, who through His sacrifice, has made a way for us to be restored to You. As we eat this bread and drink this cup, may we be reminded of Your love and grace. Help us to live out the peace and community that You desire for us, reflecting Your kingdom here on earth. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.