Communion: What did Jesus say about Communion

In the Christian tradition, Jesus’ teachings about Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist, are primarily found in the New Testament, particularly in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) and 1 Corinthians. These accounts describe the Last Supper, a meal Jesus shared with his disciples on the night before his crucifixion.

Relevant Bible Verses

1. Matthew 26:26-28 (ESV)
   “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'”
2. Mark 14:22-24 (ESV)
   “And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, ‘Take; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.'”
3. Luke 22:19-20 (ESV)
   “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.'”
4. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (ESV)
   “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

Three Main Takeaways

1. A Call to Remember: Communion is instituted as a memorial to remember Jesus’ sacrifice. It serves as a tangible way for believers to recall the death of Jesus and its significance for their salvation and relationship with God.
2. A New Covenant: The reference to Jesus’ blood as the “blood of the covenant” signifies the establishment of a new covenant between God and humanity. This new covenant brings forgiveness of sins and establishes a direct relationship with God, unlike the old covenant which was based on adherence to the Law.
3. Unity and Community Among Believers: Partaking in Communion is a communal act that symbolizes the unity of believers as the body of Christ. It’s a shared experience that reinforces the bond among members of the Christian community, reminding them of their collective redemption through Christ’s sacrifice.

These elements emphasize the depth of Jesus’ teachings on Communion, underscoring its importance as a foundational practice in Christian worship and spirituality.