Have you ever wondered what communion is or what it is all about? We’re going to step back to the last supper, which was the first celebration of communion. The disciples are with Jesus eating the Passover meal. As they progress through the meal, Jesus speaks:
Matthew 26:26-30 “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[b] 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.”
30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”
The symbolism of the meal is being fulfilled in the person of Jesus. The bread represents the body of Jesus. The wine represents the blood of Jesus. Jesus’s body and blood will be sacrificed so that all people can be forgiven of all the wrong they have done and be united in relationship with Jesus. Without this sacrifice, a relationship with Jesus would not be possible.
The Apostle Paul elaborates further on communion in the book of 1 Corinthians.
I Cor 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? 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.”
As followers of Jesus participate in taking the cup together, they participate together in Christ. “Those who receive the cup rightly receive Christ. They are bound together in fellowship with Christ.[1]” Likewise receiving the bread is a participation in Christ.
There is also a double meaning here. We participate in the body of Jesus himself, and we participate in the body of Christ, the church. The bread that is shared represents the many followers of Jesus who make up one body, the worldwide church. “…the stress on unity is clear. The one loaf at Communion symbolizes and brings about unity. Believers are many, but they are one body. The word for points to the place of Holy Communion in bringing about unity. Communicants are united to Christ and united to one another.[2]”
So, communion symbolizes a powerful spiritual reality. Followers of Jesus are united to him and to all other followers of Christ in the world. People are invited into the perfect relationship of the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Through Jesus we are united with all Christians in the world. It is through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross that communion is made possible. What an amazing truth!
Are you looking for relationship with Jesus? He is ready to welcome you to the family, into perfect relationship with him. All you need to do is respond to Jesus. If you would like to know more about Jesus, contact us and we would be happy to share with you.
[1] Morris, L. (1985). 1 Corinthians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 7, p. 143). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
[2] Morris, L. (1985). 1 Corinthians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 7, p. 144). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Matthew 26:26-30 “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[b] 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.”
30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”
The symbolism of the meal is being fulfilled in the person of Jesus. The bread represents the body of Jesus. The wine represents the blood of Jesus. Jesus’s body and blood will be sacrificed so that all people can be forgiven of all the wrong they have done and be united in relationship with Jesus. Without this sacrifice, a relationship with Jesus would not be possible.
The Apostle Paul elaborates further on communion in the book of 1 Corinthians.
I Cor 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? 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.”
As followers of Jesus participate in taking the cup together, they participate together in Christ. “Those who receive the cup rightly receive Christ. They are bound together in fellowship with Christ.[1]” Likewise receiving the bread is a participation in Christ.
There is also a double meaning here. We participate in the body of Jesus himself, and we participate in the body of Christ, the church. The bread that is shared represents the many followers of Jesus who make up one body, the worldwide church. “…the stress on unity is clear. The one loaf at Communion symbolizes and brings about unity. Believers are many, but they are one body. The word for points to the place of Holy Communion in bringing about unity. Communicants are united to Christ and united to one another.[2]”
So, communion symbolizes a powerful spiritual reality. Followers of Jesus are united to him and to all other followers of Christ in the world. People are invited into the perfect relationship of the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Through Jesus we are united with all Christians in the world. It is through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross that communion is made possible. What an amazing truth!
Are you looking for relationship with Jesus? He is ready to welcome you to the family, into perfect relationship with him. All you need to do is respond to Jesus. If you would like to know more about Jesus, contact us and we would be happy to share with you.
[1] Morris, L. (1985). 1 Corinthians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 7, p. 143). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
[2] Morris, L. (1985). 1 Corinthians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 7, p. 144). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
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