Holy Communion is the blood and the body of Jesus, given to Christians as bread and wine, instituted by Jesus himself for people to eat and drink.
The eating of bread and wine as Jesus’ body and blood, took place on the night of the Last Supper, what today is known as Maundy Thursday.
On the night he was betrayed, Jesus took bread, and when he had said thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body which is for you, in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper, he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:23-5)
The benefits of this sacrament are pointed out by the words, “…given and shed for you for the remission of sins.” These words assure Christians that in the sacrament we receive forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. Because where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.
Holy Communion is very important to Christians. This is because it reminds them that Jesus took their burden of sins, so that they could return to God- the Father, instead of being punished in hell for their sins. It also reminds them of how Jesus died and that Jesus will always be a part of them. It reminds them of Jesus whenever they take Holy Communion. The last supper took place on Thursday, also the day of the Passover, the day before Jesus was crucified and the night he was betrayed. Jesus called all of his disciples to have his last feast with them. During this time, he talked to them about the fact that one of them would betray him. Judas had already been prompted by the devil to betray Jesus, and Jesus had known this and so mentioned it at the meal. He knew that it was now time for him to return to his father. Jesus got up from his meal and took off his outer clothing, wrapping a towel around his waist. He then filled up a basin with water and one by one started to wash the feet of his disciples, drying them with the towel around his waist. Jesus also made the disciples wash each others feet. This shows us that Jesus was prepared to do anything for mankind. Washing another person’s feet was and still is seen to be the work of a slave, and so the disciples felt very odd for a person like Jesus to do such a thing. Peter even protested, but Jesus said he was doing it to show his followers that like him, even they should be willing and prepared to do anything for the people and to serve them the way he did. He also wanted them to spread the message of love, peace and equality to all the other people that followed his teachings and also to all the other people in the world. He then sat back down and made the disciples eat the bread as his body saying,” This is my body which is for you, in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:23-5). He then made them drink wine as his blood saying,” This cup is the new covenant in my blood, do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”(1 Corinthians 11:23-5). He also gave them a new commandment,” A new commandment I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 15:34-5). The death of Jesus needs to be remembered because it reminds Christians that Jesus took away all of their sins while on the cross, and all what he did for the people. It also reminds them that because of Jesus, they do not need to be punished for their sins and will reunite with God- their Father after death.