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The Lord's Supper is the moment when the church, the people of God, partake of the bread and the wine in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Jesus Himself instituted this celebration or memorial as a tangible reminder of the new covenant He established.
We find the biblical text about the institution of the Lord’s Supper in Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:19-20, and 1 Corinthians 11:23-25.
The night before His death, Jesus gathered with His disciples to celebrate the Jewish Passover meal. While they were eating, Jesus took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and shared it with His disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body” (Matthew 26:26).
Then, He took the cup of wine, blessed it, and told them that it was the blood of the covenant, poured out for the forgiveness of sins. He drank and gave it to them to drink as well. Finally, Jesus instructed them to continue doing this celebration in remembrance of Him (Luke 22:19 and 1 Corinthians 11:24). It was at that moment that the Lord’s Supper was instituted as an important celebration for the Christian people.
The Christians of the early church often celebrated the Lord's Supper. They gathered frequently to encourage one another, pray together, and partake of the bread and wine.
Some of the biblical names for the Lord's Supper are: the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:20), the Lord's Table (1 Corinthians 10:21), and the breaking of bread (Acts 2:42).
The Lord's Supper wasn't created by humans; it originates with Jesus, as a ceremony created by him in the company of his friends at Passover.
7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”
9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked.
10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.”
13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
- Luke 22: 7-13
The place of the first Lord's Supper is not known exactly, but we read from the scriptures that it was in the house of 'a certain man', the text also implies that not even the man himself knew that his house was going to be used. Jesus however knew exactly who the man was, as he knew where he would be, the size of his upstairs room, and even that it would be furnished.
The Disciples then prepared for the Passover, which would have likely involved arranging the space for the meal, setting up the table, preparing the food and wine, and ensuring all other Jewish customs and traditions were being followed.
26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
- Matthew 26:26-28
When we read the words of Jesus, his commands are clear: take, eat (this is my body), and Drink from it, all of you (This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.).
Meaning of the Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper symbolizes a memorial, a sacred rite established by Christ Himself for His followers. It serves as a reminder of His sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins and instills hope for the future.
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 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.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
As we can see in the above verse, the Lord's Supper is a memorial, a command that Christians should not forget that Jesus gave His body, and His blood for all of us. It serves to remind us of what Christ did for us and that we should be obedient to Him.
The Purpose of the Lord's Supper for the Christian
The celebration of the Lord's Supper helps us focus on Jesus. Life’s distractions and problems are many. By partaking of the bread and wine, we are reminded that, even in the midst of everything we face today, our eternal destiny has already been decided thanks to Jesus.
The Lord's Supper is an act of obedience. It was the Lord Jesus Christ Himself who commanded us to celebrate it (Luke 22:19 and 1 Corinthians 11:24). As humans, we can be forgetful, but through the celebration of the Lord's Supper, we refocus on Jesus and what His death and resurrection mean for us.
We celebrate the Lord's Supper in remembrance of Jesus Christ. He Himself told us, "Do this in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19). But we don’t just remember what He did. We also proclaim Jesus’ death to the world around us. It is an act where we testify that Jesus died out of love for humanity.
However, it doesn’t stop there. The Lord's Supper also helps us focus on the future, on the hope of Jesus' return (1 Corinthians 11:26b). It is a proclamation of the hope of eternal life that we will have with Jesus.
Therefore, we can say that the Lord's Supper is a bridge between the past and the future. Today, we remember what Jesus did for us and celebrate the future we will live with Him for all eternity.
For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
- 1 Corinthians 11:26
Importance of the Lord's Supper
The Bible teaches that the Lord's Supper is a highly significant memorial act. It demonstrates our freedom from sin, and death, providing access to the Lord through Jesus' sacrifice and the promise of eternal life. We celebrate the Supper until Jesus returns, as He instituted it (1 Corinthians 11:26).
The Jewish Passover was a tradition that existed before The Lord's Supper took place. It exists as a memorial to the people's liberation from slavery in Egypt and their search for the promised land. It has roots in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, Jesus chose this special moment to not only institute but also command that the Supper be celebrated until His return, making it a highly important memorial for the believer's life.
6 Reasons to Participate in the Lord's Supper
Having understood the meaning and importance of the Supper, let's now explore some reasons to participate in this memorial.
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Obedience to Jesus - "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.'" Matthew 26:26
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To remember Jesus' death - Taking bread, He gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.'" Luke 22:19
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Proclaiming Jesus' return - "For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes." 1 Corinthians 11:26
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Being one in Christ - "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." 1 Corinthians 10:16-17
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Forgiven by Jesus' blood - "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew 26:28
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Thanking the Lord for sacrifice and eternal life - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
Elements of the Lord's Supper
In the celebration of the Lord's Supper there are two essential elements: the bread and the wine. These symbols represent Jesus' body and the shed blood. These are what Jesus used with His disciples, and although they are only symbols, their meaning is very special. The moment of the Lord's Supper should not be taken lightly. It is a specific act of obedience in which we should focus with all our being: mind, spirit, and body.
With our mind, we remember Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross through which we receive salvation. With our spirit, we connect with the Holy Spirit of God to enjoy His presence and express our gratitude to Him. With our body, we eat the bread and drink the wine, which helps us to remember their meaning.
What the Bread Symbolizes
This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.
- Luke 22:19
The bread symbolizes Jesus' body, which suffered and was wounded on the cross and died for us. Jesus gave His body out of love for us, and as we partake of the bread with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we should remember the physical suffering Jesus endured on the cross. That was the price paid for our salvation.
What the Wine Symbolizes
This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
- Luke 22:20
The cup of red wine symbolizes the blood that Jesus shed on the cross. His blood marked the beginning of the new covenant through which all who believe in Jesus as God and Lord receive the forgiveness of their sins and eternal life with Him. Therefore, the wine symbolizes Jesus' blood in the new covenant:
In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."
- 1 Corinthians 11:25
Is there a specific day to celebrate the Supper?
There is no evidence in the Bible of an exact date when the Lord's Supper should be taken or any indication of how often we should participate in it. The Bible teaches us to do it in memory of Christ until His return (1 Corinthians 11:24-26).
Some church denominations observe the Lord's Supper weekly, while others do it monthly or annually. Therefore, the Lord's Supper should be celebrated, regardless of frequency, as a fulfillment of Christ's command.
Who should take the Lord's Supper?
The Bible teaches that those who should partake in the Supper are those who profess their faith in Christ, acknowledging themselves as sinners who have repented. They have also obeyed, believing that baptism is also a command of Jesus. Participants in the Lord's Supper also seek to live in covenant with the Lord and with fellow believers.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
- Matthew 28:19-20
Although the Bible does not directly indicate baptism as a requirement to participate in the Lord's Supper, there are a few verses that provide a guideline of who should partake:
- No one should take the Supper without examining their life (1 Corinthians 11:28).
- Anyone who takes the Supper without understanding its meaning, its importance, without recognizing that they are a sinner in need of Jesus, is taking it unworthily and to their condemnation (1 Corinthians 11:29).
Some scholars argue that biblical texts such as these formed the groundwork for the early church (1st century) and formed its understanding of who should participate in the Lord's Supper.
What does it mean to take the Lord's Supper unworthily?
The Bible issues a serious warning regarding partaking in the Lord's Supper unworthily, without understanding what one is doing:
29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.
- 1 Corinthians 11:29-32
In reading this passage, we can see just how important it is to recognize the seriousness and consequences of participating in the Supper. Each person needs to examine their life, understand Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, and the implications of grace on themselves. They should also think about whether they have lived according to biblical principles and sought unity and communion with fellow believers.
Remember that the Lord forgives those who repent:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
- 1 John 1:9
Biblical Passages About the Lord's Supper
Matthew 26:26-29
26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
- Matthew 26:26-29
Mark 14:22-25
22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
- Mark 14:22-25
Luke 22:19-20
19 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.” 20 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
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 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.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Remember, the Lord's Supper is a special celebration, a time for reflection and joy.
Other Content About the Lord's Supper:
- 33 Inspiring Themes for Communion Service
- Covenant With God (Sermon Outline)
- I Am The Bread of Life: What Did Jesus Mean? (John 6:35 Explained)
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