The Lord’s Supper, also known as Communion or the Eucharist, is an integral part of Christian worship and a central event in most church services. This holy feast commemorates Jesus’ death on the cross and reminds us of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for man’s redemption.
It is celebrated with faith-filled readings from Scripture, including powerful Bible verses about The Lord’s Supper that tell of its special meaning in our lives.
Today, we discovering inspiring words from The Word to enhance our understanding of this important sacrament.
Bible Verses About The Lords Supper
The Institution of the Lord’s Supper
During the Last Supper with his disciples, before his crucifixion, Jesus Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper, also known as Communion or Eucharist. He broke bread and said to his disciples, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Following this, he gave them a cup of wine and declared, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood that is poured out for you.” (Luke 22:19-20).
The Lord’s Supper serves as a poignant reminder of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the cross and the new covenant that he established through his blood. For believers, it provides an opportunity to remember and commemorate Christ’s death and resurrection until he returns again.
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, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
1 Corinthians 11:23-25
“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.””
Matthew 26:26-28
“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.”
Mark 14:22-24
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them.”
John 6:53-56
“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.”
Also Read: 30 Best Communion Bible Verses and Communion Scriptures
The Meaning of the Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper has several meanings for Christians. Firstly, it is a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice for our sins, whereby we partake in bread and wine in memory of Jesus’ body being broken and his blood being shed on the cross. This sacrifice was a means of expiating our sins and reconciling us to God.
Secondly, the Lord’s Supper symbolizes unity in faith. As believers, when we partake in the Supper together, we all share in the same bread and wine; symbolizing our shared faith in Christ. We are urged to understand that we belong to one body of Christ and must be united in love and service to one another.
Lastly, the Lord’s Supper represents a preview of Heaven; where a great banquet awaits us with Christ at his table as we have partaken in this supper before.
1 Corinthians 10:16-17
“The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.”
1 Corinthians 11:27-29
“Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.”
John 6:35-40
“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.'”
1 Corinthians 11:30-32
“That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.”
John 6:47-51
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
The Purpose of the Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper is an occasion where we remember Christ’s sacrifice for us and declare his death and resurrection, with the hope of his second coming. As we come together, it is a time to reflect on our actions, ask for forgiveness and surrender to Him.
During this solemn ceremony, we are reminded of our need for Christ’s selfless sacrifice on the cross; acknowledging that it is only through him that we can find salvation. The Lord’s Supper encourages us to renew our commitment in following him closely, desiring to live our lives according to his will, characterized by love, kindness, and humility.
1 Corinthians 11:26
“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
Luke 22:19
“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.””
1 Corinthians 10:16
“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?”
1 Corinthians 11:28
“Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.”
Matthew 26:29
“I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
Also Read: 25 Bible Verses About Standing Firm (With Commentary)
The Importance of Examining Oneself
Before participating in the Lord’s Supper, it is crucial for believers to take a moment and reflect upon themselves. According to Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:28, “Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.” This self-reflection is essential to avoid any judgment or condemnation while partaking in the Supper.
Self-examination helps us understand our weaknesses and shortcomings and acknowledges our need for Christ’s forgiveness. Confessing any sins before God and accepting Christ’s forgiveness allows us to fully embrace and enjoy the spiritual benefits of this sacrament. Therefore, as we prepare ourselves for this holy supper, let us spend some time examining our hearts and seeking God’s forgiveness with a repentant spirit.
1 Corinthians 11:27-28
“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.”
1 Corinthians 11:29-30
“For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.”
2 Corinthians 13:5
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?”
Galatians 6:4
“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.”
Psalm 139:23-24
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
The Lord’s Supper in Fellowship
The Bible tells us that the Lord’s Supper was meant to be shared with other people who believe in Jesus Christ. As we read in Acts 2:42, early Christians used to gather together to share the bread and wine and connect with each other through fellowship and prayer. They did this as a way of expressing their unity in Christ and encouraging each other to stay faithful to their beliefs.
It’s important for us, too, to share the Lord’s Supper in fellowship with others. This helps us remember that we have a responsibility to care for one another, just like it says in 1 Corinthians 11:33-34. Paul reminds us not just to think about ourselves when we partake in the Supper but also to look out for others who might need our help. Sharing what we have with those who are less fortunate demonstrates our love and concern for one another, just as Jesus loved and served us during his time on earth.
1 Corinthians 10:17
“Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.”
Acts 2:42
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
Acts 2:46-47
“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
1 Corinthians 10:16-17
“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 11:33-34
“So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.”
Also Read: 21 Bible Verses About Pentecost (With Commentary)
Final Thoughts
The Lord’s Supper is a meaningful and essential part of Christian worship that serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it is a reminder of what Christ did for us by sacrificing himself to save us from sin. Additionally, the Lord’s Supper is a symbol of our oneness as followers of Christ and what we will experience in heaven.
The purpose of this practice is to remember Christ’s offer for us and remind others until he returns. Before partaking in the Supper, it is important to first scrutinize ourselves and confess any wrongdoings we may have committed to God.
By sharing the Lord’s Supper in fellowship with other believers, we acknowledge our responsibility to care for one another and express our unity in Christ.