Communion: A Personal Reflection on Christ's Sacrifice

Devotional

Day 1: Communion Is a Sacred Reminder of Christ’s Sacrifice

Communion is not just a ritual or a snack, but a sacred act that calls each believer to remember the depth of Jesus’ sacrifice—His body broken and His blood shed for our sins. It is a personal reminder that Christ endured suffering and death so that we might have a right to eternal life, and every time we partake, we are called to reflect on the cost and the love that made it possible. [05:12]

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

Reflection: When you take communion, do you truly pause to remember the sacrifice Jesus made for you personally, or has it become just another routine? How can you make your next communion a moment of deep gratitude and reflection?

Day 2: Examine Yourself Honestly Before God

Before participating in communion, each person is called to examine their own heart, coming clean before God and not hiding behind appearances or self-deception. This honest self-examination is an opportunity to confess, seek forgiveness, and allow God to cleanse us, rather than simply going through the motions or pretending to be righteous. [13:55]

1 Corinthians 11:27-28 (ESV)
Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been avoiding honest self-examination? Will you take time today to bring it before God and ask for His help to come clean?

Day 3: Communion Is Both Personal and Communal

Each person receives their own cup because Jesus’ sacrifice was for individuals as well as the whole body of believers; communion is a personal act of faith and a shared celebration of our new relationship with God. This act reminds us that while salvation is received individually, we are united as a community in Christ’s love and grace. [19:38]

Romans 12:4-5 (ESV)
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Reflection: How does knowing that communion is both personal and communal change the way you approach it? Is there someone in your church family you need to reach out to in unity or reconciliation?

Day 4: Forgiveness and Letting Go of Bitterness

God calls us to forgive others as He has forgiven us, letting go of bitterness, grudges, and anger so that our hearts are clean before Him. Holding onto unforgiveness blocks the flow of God’s grace in our lives, but when we ask the Holy Spirit to help us release these burdens, we experience true freedom and healing. [24:23]

Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV)
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Reflection: Is there someone you are struggling to forgive or a hurt you are holding onto? Will you ask God today to help you let go and fill your heart with His forgiveness?

Day 5: Christ’s Sacrifice Makes Us Worthy

None of us are worthy on our own, but through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are made worthy to come before God; even after accepting Christ, we may stumble, but His blood continually cleanses us as we confess and seek His grace. This truth should fill us with humility and gratitude, reminding us that our worthiness is found in Christ alone, not in our own efforts. [15:49]

Hebrews 10:19-22 (ESV)
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Reflection: In what ways have you doubted your worthiness before God? How can you rest today in the assurance that Christ’s sacrifice has made you worthy to draw near to Him?

Sermon Summary

Communion is far more than a ritual or a routine; it is a sacred and deeply personal reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice for each of us. When we gather to partake of the bread and the cup, we are called to remember not just the miracles or the teachings of Jesus, but the very act of His body being broken and His blood being shed so that we might be made righteous before God. This act was not done for a crowd, but for each individual—so that every one of us could have a new relationship with God, sealed by the new covenant in Christ’s blood.

It’s easy to take communion for granted, to treat it as just another part of the church service, or even as a snack. But the call is to pause and reflect on the true meaning: Jesus died for you, personally. The bread and the cup are not just symbols; they are reminders of a love so deep that it endured suffering, humiliation, and death for our sake. Each time we participate, we are to do so in remembrance of Him, holding onto the promise that He will return.

But there is also a call to self-examination. Before coming to the table, we are urged to look honestly at our own hearts. This is not about being perfect or worthy in ourselves—none of us are. Worthiness comes from accepting Christ’s sacrifice. Yet, even after coming to faith, we stumble and fall. Communion is a time to come clean before God, to confess, to forgive others as we have been forgiven, and to let go of bitterness, pain, and grudges. God desires truth in our inward parts, and He gives us the Holy Spirit to help us be honest with ourselves.

Taking communion lightly, without discerning its meaning or examining our hearts, brings judgment upon ourselves. But when we approach it with reverence, gratitude, and honesty, it becomes a source of healing, cleansing, and renewed relationship with God. Let us not just go through the motions, but truly remember, examine, and give thanks for the sacrifice that gives us eternal life.

Key Takeaways

1. Communion is a Personal Reminder of Christ’s Sacrifice The act of communion is not just a church tradition, but a deeply personal reminder that Jesus gave His life for each of us individually. It is a call to remember not just His miracles, but the suffering and sacrifice that made our salvation possible. Each time we take the bread and cup, we are invited to reflect on the love that endured the cross for our sake. [05:12]
2. Self-Examination is Essential Before Communion God calls us to examine our own hearts before coming to the table. This is not about achieving perfection, but about being honest with ourselves and with God. Self-examination allows us to confess our sins, acknowledge our need for grace, and approach communion with humility and sincerity. [10:55]
3. Forgiveness is Central to True Communion We are reminded that as we have been forgiven, we must also forgive others. Holding onto unforgiveness, bitterness, or grudges blocks the flow of God’s grace in our lives. Communion is a time to let go of past hurts, ask God for help to forgive, and allow the Holy Spirit to produce the fruit of forgiveness in us. [11:40]
4. Communion is a Sacred Participation, Not a Ritual Treating communion as a mere ritual or routine empties it of its power and meaning. It is a sacred participation in the body and blood of Christ, a moment to remember the new covenant and the promise of Christ’s return. Approaching it with reverence brings healing, cleansing, and a renewed sense of God’s presence. [19:38]
5. Honesty with Ourselves and God Leads to Healing God desires truth in our inward parts; we cannot fool Him with outward appearances or religious acts. When we come clean before God—confessing our sins, letting go of pretense, and seeking His cleansing—He honors our honesty with forgiveness, healing, and restoration. Communion becomes a moment of transformation when we are real with ourselves and with God.

** [24:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:28] - What’s the Big Idea with Communion?
[01:14] - The Corinthian Church’s Mistake
[02:10] - Communion as a Sacred Reminder
[03:45] - Remembering Jesus’ Sacrifice
[04:24] - Taking Communion for Granted
[05:12] - He Did It for You
[06:52] - The New Covenant and Relationship
[07:39] - The Ongoing Practice of Communion
[08:12] - The Promise of Christ’s Return
[09:21] - The Personal Nature of Communion
[10:55] - The Call to Self-Examination
[13:55] - The Danger of Self-Deception
[15:49] - Worthiness and Honest Reflection
[19:38] - Communion Means Something
[22:18] - Letting Go of Bitterness and Unforgiveness
[24:23] - A Prayer for Cleansing and Renewal
[26:20] - Remembering the Sacrifice and Moving Forward

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Meaning of Communion

Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 11:23-29 (ESV)
> For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.

Psalm 51:6 (ESV)
> Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

Observation Questions

According to 1 Corinthians 11, what did Jesus say the bread and the cup represent?
What problem was happening in the Corinthian church that Paul had to correct? ([01:14])
What does Paul say we are doing each time we eat the bread and drink the cup?
What does Psalm 51:6 say God desires from us?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul emphasizes remembering Jesus’ sacrifice, not just his miracles or teachings? ([05:43])
What does it mean to “examine yourself” before taking communion? Why is this important? ([10:55])
How does holding onto unforgiveness or bitterness affect our relationship with God and our participation in communion? ([11:40])
Why is it dangerous to take communion “in an unworthy manner” or without “discerning the body”? ([15:49])

Application Questions

The sermon said it’s easy to take communion for granted or treat it like a snack. Have you ever found yourself doing this? What can you do to approach communion with more reverence? ([04:24])
When you hear that Jesus’ sacrifice was “for you,” not just for a crowd, how does that change the way you think about communion? ([05:12])
The Bible calls us to examine our hearts before coming to the table. What are some practical ways you can be honest with yourself and with God before taking communion? ([10:55])
Is there anyone you need to forgive, or any bitterness you need to let go of, before you take communion again? What steps can you take this week to move toward forgiveness? ([22:18])
The sermon mentioned that God desires “truth in our inward parts.” Are there areas in your life where you have been pretending or hiding? What would it look like to come clean before God? ([24:23])
Communion is a reminder of the new covenant and the promise of Christ’s return. How does this hope affect the way you live day to day? ([08:12])
The pastor said, “Don’t just go with the crowd” when it comes to communion. How can you make sure your participation is personal and meaningful, not just a routine? ([19:38])