What the Lord's Supper Is The Lord's Supper, also called Communion or the breaking of bread, is a sacred practice that Jesus himself instituted on the night he was betrayed. As he kept the Passover meal with his disciples, "he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, 'This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood'" (Luke 22:19-20). Ever since, the church across every generation has used bread and cup to remember the salvation the Lord accomplished for us. What the Bread and Cup Symbolize The bread symbolizes the body of Christ given up for us, and the cup symbolizes his precious blood poured out for us. At the Old Testament Passover, the blood of a lamb was placed on the doorposts so that Israel would be spared from death (Exodus 12). Jesus is the true "Passover lamb" (1 Corinthians 5:7), whose blood, offered once, atones for our sin forever. When we receive the bread and the cup, we receive the gospel afresh in a tangible way: Christ died for me, and my sins are forgiven. The Fourfold Meaning of Communion First, it looks back, remembering the Lord's death. Jesus said, "Do this in remembrance of me," so that we never forget the grace of the cross. Second, it proclaims. Paul writes, "as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26). Taking Communion is a silent yet powerful announcement of the gospel. Third, it is communion, or fellowship. "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ?... Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body" (1 Corinthians 10:16-17). The Supper unites us with Christ and unites all believers with one another. Fourth, it looks forward in hope. "Until he comes" points ahead to the marriage supper of the Lamb, when we will sit at table with the Lord himself (Revelation 19:9). Receiving With Reverence and Self-Examination Paul warns us not to take Communion carelessly: "Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup" (1 Corinthians 11:28). Self-examination does not mean we must be flawless to be worthy; it means we come with repentance, sincerity, and faith, honoring the body and blood of the Lord. The Supper is a feast for sinners who have received grace, not a reward for those who think themselves righteous. If you had to be perfect to come, no one could ever come at all. The Grace and Comfort Communion Brings The Lord's Supper is not an empty ritual. When we receive it by faith, the Lord himself meets us through the Holy Spirit, strengthening our faith and comforting our hearts, so that we truly "taste and see that the LORD is good" (Psalm 34:8). Again and again it reminds us that our salvation rests not on our feelings or performance but on what Christ has already accomplished. Every time we eat and drink, the gospel is preached to our own hearts. Whether you regularly take Communion or are just beginning to learn about this grace, may you meditate more deeply on all the Lord has done for you. Download the free BiblePro app and use its multiple translations, audio Scripture, AI verse search, and reading plans to study Luke 22 and 1 Corinthians 11, and let God's word bring you to the foot of the cross to experience the love of the Lord anew.