A: Dear Adrian, A communion service is a celebration of what we call “the Lord’s Supper.” Just before Jesus died on the cross, He had supper with His disciples, sometimes called “The Last Supper”. The Bible says “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom’” (Matthew 26:26-29). Then He said “Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24).

The Lord’s Supper was actually a Passover meal that Jesus had with His disciples. “And he said to them, ‘I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer’” (Luke 22:15). The Passover was the meal God instructed His people to eat just before they were delivered from Egyptian slavery (see Exodus chapter 12). Just as God’s people were set free from slavery through the death of the lamb, we are set free from the slavery of sin through the death of Jesus, the “Lamb of God” (see John 1:29). The Bible says “Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7).

During the Last Supper, Jesus wanted His disciples to realize that He was the Lamb, the one who came to deliver us from the slavery of sin. They broke the bread and ate it, teaching that Jesus’ body would be “broken for us” on the cross (see 1 Corinthians 11:24). They also drank the grape juice, which represented the blood of Jesus. Jesus said “This cup is the new covenant in my blood” (1 Corinthians 11:25). When we eat the bread and drink the juice during communion, it is to remind us the Jesus gave his body and blood for us – He sacrificed Himself for us – so we could be freed from sin and have eternal life through Him. It also reminds us that Jesus is coming again to take us to be with Him. This is why the Bible says “As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death ?until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26).

Thanks for writing, and remember, there's never been a better time to share Jesus!

Your friend, Pastor Howard