Pastor Barbara Perdue

If you’re like me, you want to learn about the essential lessons of the Last Supper—unity and communion. Jesus spent time with His disciples breaking bread and taking wine, much like we do in churches worldwide. Let’s look at what we can learn from the Lord’s Supper, also known as communion.

What does communion represent?

Through communion, we have a common union with the Lord Jesus Christ, His body, and His blood as we take the elements of bread and wine. The bread represents the body of Jesus, which was broken and hung on a cross as a sacrifice for all sin. The wine represents His blood, which was shed at His crucifixion. As we partake of these elements, we identify with Christ and acknowledge our death to sin and resurrection through Him to a new life.

Communion also represents an act of unity among believers. We display unity in Christ and with Him when we gather and take the elements. We are reminded that we all make up the body of Christ, the Church. We share communion as a declaration of our unity through accepting that Jesus’ body was broken and blood shed to bring us salvation. We celebrate the grace we all received when we put our faith in what Jesus did for us that we could not do for ourselves. Communion is an answer to Jesus’ prayer for us to be one as He and the Father are one (John 17:22–23).

What is the Lord’s Supper in the Bible?

In 1 Corinthians 11:23–26, we read, “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner, He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” What stands out to me in this passage are the words “do this.” I don’t know about you, but when Jesus says to do something—I want to do it! Taking the Lord’s Supper isn’t something we do each week or month at church to check off a box of things to do—it is something we get to do to remember the love of the Father to send His Son to remove the barrier that separated us from God. Notice that the last verse told us we must keep taking the Lord’s Supper until Jesus returns!

What did the Last Supper represent?

While studying the Bible, I found that the Last Supper is described as the last meal Jesus ate with His disciples (Matthew 26:17–30, Mark 14:12-26, and Luke 22:7-30). On the evening of His betrayal, Jesus and His disciples were celebrating the Jewish feast of Passover. Jesus brought new meaning to the meal that symbolized when Moses instructed the Israelites to put blood on the doorposts to spare their firstborn as preparation for God delivering them from Egypt. The lamb that was sacrificed for Passover was not to have its bones broken (Exodus 12:46), and neither were Jesus’ bones broken (John 19:36). The lamb’s blood in Passover symbolized being set apart to be saved, just as the Lamb of God’s blood was shed to save us. The disciples showed unity as they sat with Jesus, taking the Last Supper together before His body would be broken and His blood shed for them. The Last Supper reminds us of the profound impact Jesus’ death and resurrection can have in our lives when we accept His sacrificial death so we can have eternal life!

As you remember what the Last Supper represents, I hope you are thankful and praised for the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for you! If you have never accepted Jesus as your Savior, please call 719-418-4000 and let someone pray with you so that you can receive forgiveness of your sins and eternal life. Please join us on the first Sunday of each month when we take communion and remember what Jesus did on the cross so that we can enjoy the benefits of being part of His family! Charis Christian Center meets on Sundays at 8:30 and 10:30 AM. Visit https://www.charischristiancenter.com/ for more information.