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23 For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (1 Cor 11:23-26)

We have probably read this passage many times. Every communion, pastors will read it right before communion. It is for the purpose we are reminded what has happened with Jesus. Let’s divide the passage into smaller units to reflect bit by bit.

“For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you,” Communion is not human tradition. Communion is an institution from Lord Jesus. It is instituted and passed on to us so that we will practice unceasingly.

“…the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread,” In the night when Jesus was betrayed, He was definitely mourning. He mourned for the fact that the disciples he trusted would betray Him (Judas was entrusted with the money bag), the disciple who was tough and straight would deny Him, and all the disciples slept when their vigilance would be needed. At that night, Jesus took up bread and cup to remind the importance of their faith. After they have failed, they need to return to the root of their faith. This is too important to forget!

“This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” The faith of the disciples did not come easy. I am not saying the disciples had to move mountain to have faith. The fact is that without the sacrifice of our Lord, the faith of the disciples is nothing but a hoax. Once again, we remember the Lord’s love. This is love with tremendous sacrifice. We can hold the bread and cup to reflect whether we have lived up to His love, or if our lives are worthy of His love. Remembrance is not just a thought. Remembrance can be tangible. Chinese will have graveside gathering twice a year to remember their forefathers and foremothers. Without tangible acts, remembrance is repressive, and the focus of remembrance becomes blurry. Do this often is to make our remembrance concrete.

“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” Communion has an end time component. I take communion today to project Jesus’ coming back the next day. Communion reminds us the world has an expiration date. When this world expired, Jesus will return and make everything anew. It does not matter how this world is becoming more chaotic. It doesn’t matter this world is causing us much pain. They will all be over one day. Maranatha! (Our Lord, please come!)