5 Essential Things You Must Do Before Taking Communion
“This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19)
The gospels record Jesus’ final Passover meal. Christians know it as the Lord’s Supper, the moment in the upper room when Jesus instituted communion as a sign of the New Covenant. He fulfilled the covenant when He died on the cross. Today, we take communion in remembrance of His atoning sacrifice and anticipation of His return.
Years after Jesus’ death and resurrection, the apostle Paul reminded the early church in Corinth of the profound meaning of communion (a reminder for us still today). He instructed them to do five essential things we must do to avoid dishonoring Jesus’ great sacrifice.
Be Thankful
“And when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat, this is My body which is broken for you.’” (1 Corinthians 11:24)
Those in the Catholic religion refer to the Lord’s Supper as the eucharist. Its Greek translation is “give thanks.” Giving thanks and offering blessings to God are based on the Jewish Passover Seder, which is why they play a large part in the communion ceremony.
The Jewish Passover Seder can include up to eighteen steps, many starting with a blessing. Therefore, when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper…
