“Do this in remembrance of me!” This is the command behind the Holy Communion. But what does it mean, and why is it so significant? Many people and denominations have varied ideas about the significance of the Holy Communion. Some give it to anyone who has gone through some church practices and processes. Others do not allow a person who is not a ‘member‘ of the fellowship to take part in it, even if they are born again. Given the diverse ideas from groups that should have essentially read from the same script, we must then go back to hear what is written in scripture. In this blog, we will establish the spiritual significance behind the Holy Communion and its meaning for every believer.
Remembrance of Christ’s Sacrifice
At its core, Communion is a memorial. It is a deliberate act of remembering the suffering and death of Jesus and the establishment of a new covenant through his blood (Luke 22 and 1 Corinthians 11). Through this act, we remember that no further sacrifices are required to come before God (Hebrews 10:1-18).
In ancient times, priests would offer sacrifices in the Temple, particularly on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:26-32). The priest in charge would perform this sacrifice annually. It was the feast that assured the Jews that God had forgiven their sins. The sacrifice had to be done annually, as the blood of sheep and goats could not wholly cleanse sins (Hebrews 10:4). However, because Christ fulfilled every requirement completely and permanently through his death, the need for annual sacrifices was eliminated. There is no longer a need for intermediaries or repeated offerings (Galatians 3:20). The once-and-for-all sacrifice of Jesus satisfied everything the Father required (Hebrews 9:26-28, Hebrews 10:1-14, and Romans 6:10). In him, access is granted, and the door to the throne room of grace remains open.
We share in the table as believers to remember the sacrifice that Christ offered for us on the cross because it is greater and better than anything ever offered for the sake of man’s sins. Jesus commanded us to partake in this bread and cup in remembrance of him. Regardless of the requirements that different denominations may give, Jesus expects every born-again person to remember him in this way during the time of Communion.
Spiritual Nourishment
But Communion is also about sustenance; deep, spiritual sustenance. To ensure spiritual sustenance, our hearts must be nourished, and the Holy Communion helps us in that regard in a significant way. Jesus taught that eternal life is found in feeding on him, the true bread from heaven (John 6:53). It’s more than symbolism; it’s a continual reminder that we are entirely dependent on Christ for life, both now and forever. John 15:1-5 onwards reminds us of our need to abide in Christ if we are to bear fruit. Without this continual connection to Christ, our source, it is impossible to bear fruit. Whenever we meet and share the bread and cup, we connect ourselves with our source together with other believers. Knowing that the Spirit of Christ nourishes us and keeps us alive is of great encouragement, especially while we partake in the Holy Communion.
What keeps us safe to the end? Not our works, not our religious performance, but Christ’s finished work (Ephesians 2:8-10). Communion reminds us that we are grafted into the life of the vine; Jesus himself (Romans 11:11-31). He is our nourishment (Matthew 4:4), our strength (Psalm 46:1-3, Isaiah 40:29-31), and our hope (Colossians 1:27, 1 Peter 1:3-6, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18). When we drink the cup and eat the bread, we proclaim what holds us firm: Christ crucified, risen, and returning.
Unity Among Believers
In 1 Corinthians 10:17, Paul speaks about the unity created through partaking of the one bread and the one cup. Communion isn’t just a personal experience; it’s a communal act that affirms the oneness of the body of Christ, which is why we see Jesus sharing it with the whole team of his disciples, not each one individually. The early church met together as a community to share in the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:42). This embodies a sense of unity that foreshadows the unity expected of the body of Christ despite the many differences among individuals (1 Corinthians 12:12, 27; Romans 12:5; Galatians 3:26-28; Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:15-16, 3:6, 4:12-13, 4:25; Colossians 2:19, 3:11, 3:15). In his letter to the Corinthian Church, Paul raised issues with those who attended the Communion fellowship with selfish agendas.
Through Christ’s broken body and blood, we are made one person. In this body, there is no place for division. No space for racial, cultural, or class barriers. Whether Black, White, Asian, African, or Coloured, every believer is equally qualified by the same sacrifice (Galatians 3:28, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Acts 15:9-11). These differences should never be weapons of exclusion but reflections of the rich, beautiful diversity God intended for his glory.
It is the unity of believers that speaks to the lost world of the oneness of the body of Christ. In the sharing of the Communion, we agree to this unity and reflect it to others who are not in the body of Christ. The unity of saints at the Lord’s table is just the start of a greater proclamation of the gospel of Jesus to a lost world.
Anticipation of Christ’s Return
Finally, every time we observe Communion, we proclaim something powerful: the Lord’s death until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:26). The death of Christ was and still is a significant part of both world history and Church history. In his death, Christ ensured that our identification was sealed (Galatians 2:20), the removal of our sin and guilt was done (John 1:29, Hebrews 9:26), and God’s wrath was removed from us (Romans 3:25-26). However, his death also afforded us reconciliation with God (Romans 5:10-11), which makes us part of the family and no longer strangers or aliens.
Lastly, his death brought us redemption. We were brought back to him from our captivity under the law (Galatians 3:13-14), from the guilt of sin (Romans 3:24), and from the power of sin (1 Peter 1:18-19). So, Paul says that by sharing in the Holy Communion, we proclaim all the above until he returns. Such glorious and stupendous things for us to proclaim, indeed.
But Jesus did not remain in the grave, for he rose again and promised to return (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Matthew 24:27, 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 22:12). That future moment—the return of Christ—is central to our hope. Communion looks both backward to the cross and forward to the day when we will dine with our Savior at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6-10). Are you looking forward to that day, dear saint? The trumpet’s blast, the heavens opened, the angelic throng, the great resurrection, the meeting in the air, and the eternal reign. This is our ultimate hope. It just must be!
In summary, baptism and Communion are more than mere rituals. They are divine invitations into a deeper faith, a richer community, and a fuller life in Christ. These sacred practices speak to our identity, unity, sustenance, and hope. As you come to the table, come with reverence, joy, and expectation—because in remembering, we are renewed. As you partake of the Holy Communion, do so with joyful anticipation. Eat and rest knowing that you are no longer a stranger but a son; no longer in darkness but in light; no longer dead but alive in Christ.