Why Do We Celebrate the Lord's Supper?

This entry is part 10 of 10 in the series Getting to Know Jesus

Since Jesus first instituted the Lord’s Supper (or Communion) on the night before his death, Christians around the world have participated in the practice of Holy Communion. There is a mystery and significance to communion that makes it worthy of additional study and instruction. Why do we celebrate the Lord’s Supper?

What is Communion (The Lord’s Supper)?

Communion is bread and wine connected with God’s Word and brings us grace and forgiveness. Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper on the night before his death, at the Last Supper. Jesus and his disciplines were celebrating Passover on the night before his death. Jesus explained to his disciples that he was giving them a new meal for a new covenant. (Read more about the Last Supper and Maundy Thursday here.)

During worship, we eat the bread and drink the wine while receiving God’s blessings, grace, and forgiveness.

Different Views of The Lord’s Supper

In the Christian church, there are 3 different views about Communion.

The Catholic church believes that the bread and wine of communion turn into the body and blood of Jesus, also called transubstantiation.

The second belief in a symbolic view of communion, held most by Reformed, Protestant, and Evangelical churches. These churches often practice open communion, where anyone is welcome, and many use grape juice instead of wine.

The third view is real presence. This view is held by the Lutheran church and is called real presence. This teaching asserts that Jesus is physically present in, with, and under the bread and wine.

Thoughts about Communion

The Bible teaches that communion is to be used carefully and within proper boundaries. (See 1 Corinthians 10:16.) Some churches practice “close communion” or “closed communion” (communion only for members or those who are members of churches within the denomination) in order to maintain the importance of this sacred meal.

Here are some questions to ask yourself before attending communion:

Are you a baptized believer and follower of Jesus?
Do you believe in the physical presence of the body and blood of Jesus in the Lord’s Supper, in, with, and under the bread and the wine?
Do you fear God’s holiness and are you sincerely repentant of your sins?
Do you intend to turn from your sin and lead a life pleasing to God?
Do you believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God?
Are you in agreement with the teachings of the church where you are taking communion?

Jesus gives us the Lord’s supper as a rich blessing as being one of his people. I encourage you to attend the Lord’s Supper as often as possible and thank God for the blessings provided through this sacred meal.

Getting to Know Jesus Online Bible Study

As we continue through our study of the book Getting to Know Jesus, we focus on the Lord’s Supper.

Much discussion takes place in our Getting to Know Jesus Facebook group. Come and join us there for new discussion weekly. (Bonus: The author joins us in the group, too!)

While you are welcome to join in the discussion no matter what, I encourage you to purchase the book and read along for maximum benefit. You can purchase the book Getting to Know Jesus here in print or Kindle version.

Getting to Know Jesus: Using the Six Core Teachings of the Bible to Grow in a Deeper Relationship with Jesus