“For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.” — 1 Corinthians 11:26 (NLT)
Introduction
The Lord’s Supper, also called Communion, is one of the most sacred practices given to the church by Jesus Christ. It is not a ritual invented by tradition, nor a symbolic act without meaning. It is a divine ordinance instituted by the Lord Himself, pointing directly to His sacrifice, confirming the New Covenant, and proclaiming the gospel until His return. When properly understood, the Lord’s Supper anchors believers in the cross, calls the church to holiness, and keeps our eyes fixed on Christ’s coming kingdom.
Instituted by Jesus Christ
The Lord’s Supper began on the night Jesus was betrayed. During the Passover meal, He established a new and greater meaning.
“As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, ‘Take this and eat it, for this is my body.’ And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, ‘Each of you drink from it. For this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.’” — Matthew 26:26–28 (NLT)
Jesus deliberately connected the meal to His body and blood, making clear that His death would fulfill what the Passover only foreshadowed. From the beginning, the Lord’s Supper was centered on Christ’s sacrifice, not human effort.
A Memorial of the Cross
The Lord’s Supper is a remembrance, but not a passive one. It is an active, faith-filled proclamation of what Jesus accomplished on the cross.
“Do this in remembrance of me.” — Luke 22:19 (NLT)
When believers partake, they remember Christ’s broken body and shed blood. This remembrance guards the church from drifting into self-reliance, legalism, or shallow faith. The table brings us back to the cross, where salvation was fully secured.
A Proclamation of the Gospel
Communion is not only backward-looking; it is also a public declaration of the gospel.
“For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.” — 1 Corinthians 11:26 (NLT)
Each observance preaches Christ crucified. Without words, the church declares that forgiveness comes only through His blood and that redemption is found only in His sacrifice. The Lord’s Supper keeps the gospel central in the life of the church.
A Call to Self-Examination
Scripture teaches that the Lord’s Supper must be approached with reverence and discernment.
“That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup.” — 1 Corinthians 11:28 (NLT)
This self-examination is not meant to produce fear or despair, but repentance and humility. The table calls believers to turn from sin, walk in obedience, and live in right relationship with God and others. It is a reminder that grace never excuses sin, but empowers holiness.
A Sign of the New Covenant
The cup represents the New Covenant established through Christ’s blood.
“This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood.” — 1 Corinthians 11:25 (NLT)
Under this covenant, salvation is not earned but received by faith. The Lord’s Supper continually testifies that believers stand before God not by works, but by the finished work of Christ.
A Forward Look to Christ’s Return
The Lord’s Supper is also prophetic. It points forward to the return of Christ and the future kingdom.
“For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.” — 1 Corinthians 11:26 (NLT)
Until He comes, the church remains a witnessing people—rooted in the cross, awaiting the King. Communion keeps the church watching, faithful, and ready.
Conclusion
The Lord’s Supper is a sacred ordinance given by Christ to His church. It remembers His sacrifice, proclaims the gospel, calls believers to holiness, confirms the New Covenant, and points toward His return. When received in faith and obedience, it strengthens believers and keeps the church anchored in eternal truth. The table declares that Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again.