Why Do Christians Take Communion?
Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice and Renewing Our Covenant with Him
Why do Christians gather around bread and wine and call it holy? Why do churches pause in reverence as they partake of what looks like a simple snack? Is it just a tradition—or is there something deeply spiritual at work?
Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist, is more than just a symbolic act. For Christians, it is a God-ordained means of remembering, proclaiming, and participating in the finished work of Jesus Christ. It’s a sacred moment where faith is nourished, hearts are humbled, and the church is united in Christ.
Understanding why Christians take communion isn’t just for scholars or pastors. It’s for every believer who longs to draw near to Jesus with clarity, reverence, and joy.
🧠 What Is Communion?
Communion is a Christian practice instituted by Jesus Himself during the Last Supper with His disciples (Matthew 26:26–28, Mark 14:22–25, Luke 22:19–20). It involves partaking of bread and wine (or grape juice), which symbolize the body and blood of Christ.
At its core, communion is a covenantal meal—a spiritual practice by which Christians:
- Remember Jesus’ sacrificial death
- Proclaim the gospel to themselves and others
- Participate in the benefits of Christ’s body and blood
- Examine their hearts and repent
- Celebrate the unity of the Church
- Anticipate Christ’s return
While various denominations may differ in how they understand the presence of Christ in communion, all faithful expressions agree on its central purpose: to remember and respond to the saving work of Jesus.
📖 Biblical Foundations: The Origin of Communion
1. The Last Supper (Luke 22:19–20)
“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…” (Luke 22:19–20)
Jesus didn’t just speak metaphorically—He established a new covenant. Just as the Passover meal commemorated Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, this new meal commemorates the greater deliverance from sin and death through Christ.
2. Paul’s Instruction to the Church (1 Corinthians 11:23–26)
“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” (v. 26)
Paul reinforces that communion is not a private or optional act—it’s a church-wide, ongoing proclamation of the gospel. He also warns against taking it lightly (vv. 27–29), emphasizing the need for reverence and self-examination.
3. The New Covenant Promised (Jeremiah 31:31–34)
The Lord spoke through Jeremiah about a coming covenant where He would write His law on the hearts of His people and forgive their sins. At the Last Supper, Jesus declared that His blood inaugurated this very covenant (Luke 22:20).
🪞Why Communion Matters for the Christian Life
1. It Strengthens Our Faith
Like a wedding ring that reminds a spouse of their covenant vows, communion reminds believers of what Christ has done and what He promises to do. It nourishes our faith by pointing us again and again to the cross.
2. It Calls Us to Repentance
Before taking communion, Christians are encouraged to examine their hearts (1 Corinthians 11:28). This isn’t a call to perfection, but to honesty—to confess sin and reaffirm trust in Christ’s mercy.
3. It Unites the Body of Christ
We do not take communion alone. It is a communal act, a shared table, a family meal. Paul reminds the Corinthians that they are one body because they partake of one bread (1 Corinthians 10:17).
4. It Points Us to the Future
Each time we take communion, we look back to the cross and forward to the return of Christ. Jesus said He would not drink of the fruit of the vine again until the kingdom comes (Luke 22:18). Communion is an appetizer of the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9).
⚖️ Common Misunderstandings Clarified
“Isn’t Communion Just a Symbol?”
While the bread and cup are symbolic, the act is not merely symbolic. It’s a means of grace—God uses it to shape our hearts, renew our minds, and deepen our relationship with Him. It’s more than a memory; it’s an encounter with the living Christ.
“Can Anyone Take Communion?”
Communion is for baptized believers in Jesus Christ who have repented and trust in His finished work. It’s not a ritual for outsiders or a performance for the pious—it’s a covenant renewal for those who belong to Christ.
“What If I Don’t Feel Worthy?”
No one is worthy in themselves. That’s the whole point of grace. The invitation to the Table is not “Come, you who are perfect,” but “Come, you who are thirsty” (Isaiah 55:1). What’s required is repentance, faith, and reverence.
🌱 How Should We Approach Communion?
- With Reverence
Recognize that you are engaging with something holy—tread thoughtfully and worshipfully. - With Reflection
Examine your heart. Confess any known sin. Ask the Lord to renew your love for Him. - With Faith
Trust that Christ is present by His Spirit, nourishing you spiritually through this meal. - With Thanksgiving
“Eucharist” means thanksgiving. Rejoice in the grace that saved you and sustains you. - With Hope
Every communion is a preview of the day we’ll feast with Jesus in His Kingdom.
✝️ Communion in Church History
Since the earliest days of the Church, communion has been a central act of worship.
- The Early Church (Acts 2:42): “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
- Church Fathers like Ignatius and Justin Martyr wrote extensively about the Eucharist as a sacred mystery and a vital part of the Christian life.
- Reformers like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Ulrich Zwingli debated how Christ is present in communion—but all agreed that it should be taken seriously, regularly, and joyfully.
Today, communion remains a living tradition that ties believers to the historic faith, unites churches across denominations, and draws hearts to Christ again and again.
📣 Conclusion: Communion as Covenant Renewal
So, why do Christians take communion?
Because Jesus told us to. Because it brings us back to the foot of the cross. Because it reminds us of grace, renews our hearts in repentance, unites us as one body, and fills us with anticipation for His return.
It’s not just a ritual. It’s not just a memory. It’s a meal that sustains the soul.
As you take the bread and the cup, remember:
“This is My body… this is My blood… do this in remembrance of Me.”
May your heart be stirred, your faith renewed, and your hope anchored as you approach the Lord’s Table.
Next Step:
Take time this week to read and reflect on 1 Corinthians 11:17–34. Before your next communion, prepare your heart with prayer, confession, and thanksgiving. Let the Lord’s Supper shape how you live today in light of eternity.