1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when 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 also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Paul reminds the Corinthian church of what Jesus did on the night he was betrayed. Jesus shared a final meal with his disciples before his death, where he took bread and wine and told his followers to eat and drink them in remembrance of his sacrifice on their behalf. The bread represented Jesus' body that would soon be broken, and the wine represented his blood that would initiate a new covenant between God and humanity. Paul explains that when Christians partake in communion, they proclaim the Lord's death until he returns. The act is both a remembrance of Christ's sacrifice and a proclamation of the gospel. It points back to the cross, where Jesus bore humanity's sins, and forward to the marriage supper of the Lamb described in Revelation 19. Communion unites believers with Christ across time.

The passages on communion reveal rich truths about this sacred practice. Jesus instituted it himself on the night of his betrayal, showing his intentionality in leaving his followers with a tangible way to remember his sacrifice. He transformed a Passover meal into something new - a celebration of the new covenant ratified by his blood. Each time Christians partake of the bread and wine, we preach a powerful wordless sermon, both to ourselves and to any onlookers. We declare our dependence on Jesus' body and blood for redemption. We proclaim that he is coming again to make all things new. Communion grounds us in gospel truths. The writers of these commentaries remind us that communion is not a mere symbol. Jesus is truly present in a mysterious way when believers gather around his table. We must approach communion carefully, examining our own hearts to receive Christ's body and blood in a worthy manner. This does not mean we make ourselves worthy, but rather that we set our minds on Jesus with reverence and gratitude. Communion looks back to the cross but also ahead to an eternal feast with Jesus. One day we will celebrate with him face-to-face. Until then, we proclaim his death and resurrection whenever we eat the bread and drink the cup.

Lord Jesus, we praise you for instituting this holy meal as a way for us to be intimately connected with you across the centuries. Thank you for your body broken and your blood poured out to establish a new covenant with us. Forgive us for the times we have partaken casually or without preparation. Help us approach your table with reverence, proclaiming your death until you return. We long for that day when we will feast with you face-to-face. Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Amen.