Session 8

Why communion is a powerful symbol of our faith

From Mark: A 6-Week Devotional

What makes a gift good or memorable? It definitely has to be thought through. It more than likely came at a high cost, either financially or in time spent. It has to meet a specific need or desire to have the intended impact. Every time we think about that gift, it brings back the joy we felt and reminds us of the sacrifice the giver made for us.  

No gift can out measure the weight, importance, and sacrifice of Jesus’ death on the cross. When we celebrate communion, or the Lord’s Supper, we remember the gift of salvation Jesus gave each one of us.

In Mark 14:24, Jesus explains that this meal was about to mark the start of a new covenant between God and His people. Before Jesus’ death, generations of Jews sacrificed animals at the temple to pay for their sin. Jesus’ sacrifice paid the penalty for sin once and for all, and that’s why we celebrate communion today. In Luke’s version of this story, Jesus tells the disciples, “do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19).

When we take communion, it symbolizes the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. The wine and the bread in communion represent the blood and body of Jesus that was poured out and broken as a sacrifice for our gift of salvation.

Just like some gifts will always remind us of where we were when we received them, communion reminds us of where we were when we met Jesus. Communion is a time when we collectively reflect on the covenant that binds us together. It’s also a time to individually reflect on the price Jesus paid for us to be in a relationship with Him.

Reflect:

• Think back to where you were when you asked Jesus into your life. Where were you? What happened?
• What are two ways that communion is a great reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made on your behalf?
• What’s one way you can show gratitude for the gift of salvation?