“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had giventhanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it,in remembrance of Me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.”
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
The Importance of Remembrance
Communion is one of the most sacred practices in the Christian faith. It is not merely a ritual but a powerful act of remembrance, obedience, and proclamation. Jesus Himself instituted it on the night He was betrayed, knowing the suffering He would endure for our salvation. His words, “Do this in remembrance of Me,” calls us to continually reflect on His sacrifice, never allowing it to fade from our hearts. We live in a world where distractions abound. Pressures, worries, and responsibilities can often cloud our focus on Christ. Communion re-centers us, bringing our attention back to the cross. It is a time to remember that Jesus willingly gave His body and shed His blood so that we might have eternal life.
The Body Broken for Us
Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to His disciples. The breaking of the bread symbolizes the breaking of His body on the cross. The pain He endured was not just physical but emotional and spiritual as well. He was mocked, abandoned, and bore the weight of our sins. His body was broken so that we could be made whole. Isaiah 53:5 reminds us, “By His stripes, we are healed.” When we partake of the bread, we acknowledge our need for Christ’s sacrifice. It is an act of humility, recognizing that we could never save ourselves. Only through His broken body can we find healing, restoration, and reconciliation with God.
The Blood of the New Covenant
The cup represents the blood of Christ, shed for the forgiveness of sins. Under the Old Testament law, the shedding of animal blood was required to atone for sins, but Jesus became the perfect and final sacrifice. His blood established a new covenant—one of grace, mercy, and direct access to the Father. Through His blood, we are not only cleansed but also brought into a covenant relationship with God. Hebrews 9:22 tells us, “Without shedding of blood there is no remission [of sins].” When we drink from the cup, we affirm our faith in the redemptive power of Jesus’ blood, thanking Him for the forgiveness and new life it brings.
Proclaiming the Lord’s Death Until He Comes
Paul tells us that every time we partake in communion, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He returns. This means communion is not just about looking back; it is also about looking forward. We declare our faith in Jesus’ victory over sin and death, and we anticipate His glorious return. Communion is both personal and communal. It unites us with Christ and with one another as the body of believers. As we participate, we should examine our hearts, ensuring that we do so with reverence, gratitude, and faith. It is a time for confession, renewal, and recommitment to following Christ wholeheartedly.
A Call to Reflect
As you prepare for communion, take a moment to reflect:
Have you truly grasped the depth of Jesus’ sacrifice for you?
Is there anything in your heart that needs repentance?
Are you living in the hope of His return?
Communion is a divine invitation to come to the table, to remember, and to be renewed. Especially during this Easter season, we are reminded of the depth of Christ’s love displayed through the cross and the power of His resurrection. Jesus gave His life so that we might have life. May we never take this sacred moment for granted but approach it with hearts full of gratitude and awe.
