Communion, also called the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist, is a meal Jesus gave his followers to remember his death for their sins. Christians share bread and the cup together to give thanks for his sacrifice, proclaim the gospel, celebrate their unity as one body and look forward to his return. Churches practice it in different ways, but the heart behind it is the same.
How Communion Started
On the night before his crucifixion, Jesus shared a Passover meal with his disciples. Passover celebrated the night God rescued Israel from slavery in Egypt, when the blood of a lamb on the doorposts spared each household from judgment. In the middle of that familiar meal, Jesus gave two of its elements a brand-new meaning.
Luke 22:19-20 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
Jesus was showing his friends that he was the true Passover Lamb. His body would be broken and his blood poured out so that anyone who trusts him can be rescued from sin and death. The word Eucharist comes from a Greek word meaning “thanksgiving,” which fits perfectly, because Communion is first of all a grateful remembrance.
What Communion Means
When Christians take Communion, they aren’t earning God’s favor or re-sacrificing Jesus. His sacrifice on the cross was complete. Instead, they’re remembering what he has already done and declaring it out loud to one another and to the watching world.
1 Corinthians 11:26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Notice the two directions in that verse, both of which give the meal its meaning. Communion looks back to the cross, where Jesus died in our place, and it looks forward to the day he returns. Every time you take the bread and cup, you’re preaching a small sermon: Jesus died, Jesus rose, and Jesus is coming again.
Why Christians Take It Together
Communion is a personal moment, but it’s never a private one. From the earliest days of the church, believers shared the Lord’s Supper as a family, and Paul saw that shared meal as a picture of what Jesus had made them.
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.
Churches serve Communion in many ways. Some use wine and others grape juice. Some pass trays, some drink from a shared cup, and others dip bread into the cup. Christians also hold different views about how Christ is present in the meal. But in every case, believers are reminded that they belong to Jesus and to each other.
How to Prepare Your Heart
Because Communion is so meaningful, the Bible encourages believers to approach it thoughtfully. It’s meant for people who have put their faith in Jesus, and it’s a natural moment to pause and get honest with God.
1 Corinthians 11:28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.
Examining yourself doesn’t mean proving you’re good enough. None of us are, which is exactly why Jesus died. It means confessing known sin, letting go of grudges and coming with gratitude. If you aren’t sure where you stand with God, that’s okay. Let the bread and cup pass, and take that moment to consider what Jesus has done for you. If you’d like to learn more about putting your faith in Jesus, check out How can I become a Christian?
The Takeaway
What is Communion? It’s a meal of remembrance and thanksgiving that Jesus gave his church. Through the bread and cup, believers remember his sacrifice, proclaim the gospel, celebrate their unity and look forward to his return. Come to it with an honest heart and a grateful spirit.
