The Power and Purpose of Christian Communion

For Christians, communion—also called the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist—stands as one of the most profound and holy practices of our faith. Participating in communion is much more than a symbolic gesture; it is a sacred encounter with Christ Himself, given to us as a means to remember, proclaim, and participate in His sacrifice.

The Biblical Foundation and Command

On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus ate the Passover meal with His disciples. It was during this intimate gathering that He instituted what we now call communion:

“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.'”
— Luke 22:19-20 (NIV)

Paul reinforces the importance of this command when he writes to the Corinthians:

“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night 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.’ …For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”
— 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NIV)

These words are not mere suggestions; they are directives from Jesus and instructions for the ongoing life of His Church. We are not just invited, but commanded to remember and proclaim Him through communion.

The Meaning of Communion

1. Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice

At its heart, communion draws us back to the central event of our salvation: Jesus laying down His life on the cross. Through the bread and cup, we’re invited to recall not only the fact of His death, but also the immense love and suffering that purchased our redemption. This remembrance is active; we are called to meditate on His body and blood, given freely for us.

2. Proclaiming the Gospel

Each time we participate in communion, we proclaim the good news of Christ’s death and resurrection to ourselves and to those around us. It is a witness to the world that our hope is anchored in Jesus’ sacrifice, and that we are waiting for His return.

3. Experiencing Union with Christ

Communion is more than remembrance—it’s participation. Paul writes, “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?” (1 Corinthians 10:16). In communion, Christians are mysteriously united with Christ: we are nourished by His grace, reassured of our forgiveness, and drawn into deeper fellowship with Him.

4. Communion with One Another

Sharing the Lord’s table binds believers together as one body. “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.” (1 Corinthians 10:17). Communion is a powerful reminder of our unity in Christ, urging us to love, forgive, and support one another.

A Personal Meditation

Whenever I approach the Lord’s table, I am freshly aware of my need for grace. The bread and cup are physical reminders that Christ’s body was broken for my sins; His blood was shed that I might be cleansed and welcomed into God’s family. In this simple act, Jesus meets me—meeting all of us—in our hunger and brokenness, offering Himself and saying, “I am enough.”

“Do this in remembrance of Me”

As you prepare your heart for communion, consider Jesus’ words: “Do this in remembrance of Me.” Let gratitude fill your heart for what He has done. Let your faith be renewed in His love. And let the unity we share as His body move you toward love and peace with others.

May every communion draw us deeper into the mystery of Christ’s sacrifice, the joy of our salvation, and the beauty of our union with Him and with one another.

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)