Communion — also called the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist — is one of the most sacred practices in the Christian faith. And yet, for many believers, it can also be one of the most confusing. How often should you take it? Who is it for? What actually happens when you eat the bread and drink the cup? And does it really matter, or is it just a ritual?
Scripture has clear and deeply moving answers to all of those questions. Communion isn’t a box to check on a Sunday morning. It’s a moment of profound spiritual significance — one that Jesus Himself established on the night before His death.
Communion is the practice Jesus gave the church to remember His sacrifice, examine our hearts, and proclaim His death until He returns. It involves sharing bread and wine (or juice) as symbols of His broken body and shed blood. The Bible treats it as a sacred, communal act of worship — not an optional ritual.
The Origin: Jesus Establishes Communion
Luke 22:19-20 — The Last Supper
“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.’ 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 (NIV)
This is the moment communion was born. Jesus was hours from arrest, trial, and crucifixion — and in the middle of all that weight, He took time to establish a practice for His followers to carry forward. The phrase “do this in remembrance of me” is both an invitation and a command. He wanted His people to never forget what the bread and cup represent: a body broken and blood poured out for the forgiveness of sins. Every time you take communion, you’re responding to a direct request from Jesus.
Matthew 26:26-28 — The New Covenant
“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.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’” — Matthew 26:26-28 (NIV)
Matthew’s account adds a crucial detail: “for the forgiveness of sins.” The blood of the old covenant required animal sacrifices repeated over and over. Jesus’ blood established a new covenant — one-time, complete, sufficient. Communion doesn’t re-enact the sacrifice. It remembers and celebrates it. Every sip from the cup is a declaration: this blood was enough. My sins are forgiven. The debt is paid.
Paul’s Teaching on Communion
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 — Proclaiming the Lord’s Death
“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 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.’ 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.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” — 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NIV)
Paul adds a dimension the Gospels only hint at: communion is a proclamation. It’s not just an inward act of remembrance — it’s an outward declaration. Every time the church gathers to break bread and share the cup, it tells the story of Jesus’ death to everyone present. And the phrase “until he comes” gives communion a forward-looking dimension too. It’s not only about looking back at the cross. It’s about looking ahead to the return of Christ. Communion lives in the tension between “it is finished” and “He is coming back.”
1 Corinthians 11:27-29 — Taking Communion Seriously
“So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.” — 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 (NIV)
This passage has caused anxiety for generations of believers, so let’s be clear about what it does and doesn’t mean. It does not mean you need to be sinless to take communion — if it did, no one would qualify. “Unworthy manner” in context refers to the Corinthians’ habit of turning the Lord’s Supper into a drunken feast where the wealthy ate lavishly while the poor went hungry. Paul’s concern was that they were treating something sacred as casual. The call to “examine yourself” is an invitation to honest self-reflection — not a barrier to participation. Come to the table humbly, aware of your need for grace, and you’re taking it in a worthy manner.
✝ Go deeper in your walk. The Faithful app gives you daily verses, guided prayers, and study plans to grow your faith.
Deeper Significance of Communion
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 — Unity in the Body
“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 (NIV)
Communion is not just between you and God — it’s between you and every other believer at the table. The “one loaf” represents the unity of the church. When you break bread together, you’re declaring that you belong to each other, not just to Christ. In a world that fractures along every possible line — political, racial, economic, generational — communion is a radical act of solidarity. We share one bread because we share one Savior.
John 6:53-56 — Spiritual Nourishment
“Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.’” — John 6:53-56 (NIV)
This passage predates the Last Supper, but it illuminates the spiritual reality behind communion. Jesus uses the most intimate possible metaphor — ingesting food and drink — to describe the relationship He wants with His followers. Just as food becomes part of your body, Jesus wants to become inseparable from your life. Communion is a tangible, physical reminder of a spiritual truth: you are sustained by Christ. He is your real food, your real drink, your real life.
Common Questions About Communion
How Often Should You Take Communion?
Scripture doesn’t specify a frequency. Jesus said “whenever you do this” — suggesting it should be a regular practice, not a rare event. The early church appears to have shared the Lord’s Supper every time they gathered (Acts 2:42, 46). Some churches observe it weekly, others monthly, others quarterly. The frequency matters less than the intentionality. What matters is that when you come to the table, you come with awareness, gratitude, and reverence.
Who Can Take Communion?
Communion is for followers of Jesus — those who have placed their faith in Him for salvation. It’s a family meal, not a general invitation. That said, it’s not reserved for “mature” or “advanced” Christians. If you have put your trust in Christ, the table is for you. The call to self-examination (1 Corinthians 11:28) isn’t about qualifying for the table. It’s about approaching it honestly.
Is Communion Just Symbolic?
Christians have debated this for centuries, and faithful believers land in different places. Some traditions hold that the bread and wine become the literal body and blood of Christ. Others see them as symbolic representations. What all traditions agree on is that communion is not empty ritual — something genuinely spiritual happens when believers gather to remember Christ’s sacrifice together. Whether you use the word “symbol” or “sacrament,” the reality is the same: God meets His people at the table.
Why Communion Still Matters
In a faith that can sometimes feel abstract — prayers sent into silence, beliefs held about an invisible God — communion is beautifully physical. You hold bread in your hands. You taste wine on your tongue. You sit next to other believers who are doing the same thing. It engages your body, not just your mind.
And that physicality is the point. The gospel is not just a set of ideas. It’s about a real body broken and real blood spilled on a real cross for real people. Communion keeps the gospel tangible. It keeps it from drifting into theory.
If you’ve been taking communion on autopilot, let these passages wake you up to what you’re actually doing. And if you’ve been avoiding it because you feel unworthy, hear this: the table isn’t for people who have it all together. It’s for people who know they don’t — and who are grateful that Jesus gave everything so they could come anyway.
Looking for more ways to deepen your spiritual practices? The Faithful app offers daily Scripture and guided reflections to help you grow closer to God each day.
Continue Your Journey
If this article spoke to your heart, you may also find encouragement in these related posts:
- What Does the Bible Say About Being a Good Steward?
- How to Fast as a Family
- Bible Verses for Standing Firm in Your Faith
A Prayer for Devotional Living
Father, I want to know You more deeply. Create in me a hunger for Your Word and a desire for Your presence. Transform my routine faith into a living, breathing relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start a daily devotional habit?
Start small: 5 minutes of Bible reading and prayer each morning. Use a devotional app or reading plan. Don’t aim for perfection — aim for consistency.
What Bible reading plan should I use?
Start with the Gospels (Mark is shortest), then Psalms and Proverbs. Choose a plan that fits your schedule — even a chapter a day builds spiritual depth.
How do I hear God’s voice?
God speaks primarily through Scripture, prayer, wise counsel, and circumstances. Learning to hear God takes practice. Read the Bible expectantly and journal what stands out.
Keep Growing in Faith
For a deeper dive into this topic, explore our complete guide: Devotional Living: A Complete Faith-Based Guide.
Want daily encouragement on your phone? Try Faithful — your AI-powered Bible companion for life’s toughest moments. Free on iOS.