Why Should We Take Communion? Part 2 (Mark 14:22-25)

22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Communion offers us so much as believers in Christ. Last week, we began looking at some of the many reasons taking communion blesses and benefits the church – it reminds us of the incarnation, centers us on the atonement, emphasizes the importance of our personal faith, and communicates the unity of the church. Let’s continue looking at six more today.

5. It Reminds Us We Belong to Jesus

The next thing communion reminds us of is that we belong to Jesus. This meal should also make you feel you belong in Christ's family. The original Passover meal was meant to be celebrated inside a house with your own household, up to ten people. So when Jesus sat with his disciples and initiated this meal, it reminded us that we are part of his household. We belong because of what he did. He brought us in.

6. It Gives Us a Chance to Glory in the New Covenant

Sixth, communion gives us a chance to glory in the New Covenant. Luke records Jesus saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood" (Luke 22:20). The New Covenant is a mystery to many modern believers. Many of us struggle along through life trying hard to obey God. Many have a relationship with God today that bears a striking resemblance to the Old Covenant. Through the constant breaking of the law, they feel under constant condemnation, but there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Jesus' blood introduced a New Covenant, and we need a continual reminder of this covenant of grace. We must know how God promised to live inside us, changing and shaping us from the inside out. We must see how we are in a covenant of grace, in which there is always hope for personal growth, sanctification, and increased Christ-likeness. His mercies are new every morning, and communion reminds us of who we are in Christ—we are his everlasting possession, and he will never let go.

7. It Reminds Us Christ Is Our Head

Seventh, communion reminds us that Christ is our Head (Ephesians 5:23). He is the leader of the church, and the church is his body.

Colossians 1:18 (ESV) — 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. He created us by his blood. Without him, we would be and have nothing. And, on that night almost two thousand years ago, our leader instituted this meal. So when we partake, we should be reminded of his authority. What he says goes. He is our Shepherd. He is our Lord.

8. It Reminds the Church of its Mission

Eighth, communion reminds the church of its mission. Jesus told us to make disciples of all nations. Jesus said his blood is poured out for many (24). When he shed his blood, it was for the world. "God so loved the world he gave his only Son…" (John 3:16). To hold the bread and cup is a privilege afforded to us because the gospel came to our ears. As we hold them, we hold a message the world needs to receive.

9. It Creates an Opportunity for Healthy Self-Reflection

Ninth, communion creates an opportunity for healthy self-reflection. The Corinthian church was messy, and some sin had spread throughout their corporate feasts together. When they ate together, the rich were elevated above the poor, and appetites ran out of control. Part of their meal, it seems, included the taking of communion. So Paul told them they should not approach the Lord's table so lightly.

“Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” (1 Corinthians 11:28 ESV). I say this with fear and trembling, for I've known people who've taken this too far, way out of its context, but there is a place for healthy Holy Spirit-led examination when taking communion. Confession of our sins and recommitment to the Lord seem appropriate during this time.

10. It Stirs Our Hope for the Second Coming

Tenth, communion stirs our hope for the second coming of Christ. This meal serves as a stimulus for eschatological hope. Jesus said he wouldn't eat this meal again until it was fulfilled in the kingdom of God (Luke 22:16). Mark records Jesus saying, "I will not drink [this cup] again until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God" (25). And Paul said, "As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes (26). So, when we partake of this meal, it serves as a reminder that Jesus is coming again!

26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Just as Jesus had said, he did not drink the final cup of the Passover meal. He had established a new meal for his people, and he wouldn't drink wine again until he comes a second time. Instead, he seems to have jumped straight to the closing songs of the old Passover meal, perhaps from Psalms 115-118. Then they left the upper room and headed for Gethsemane at the Mount of Olives (26). Jesus had established his new meal and was now ready to die. The time had come.