Worship, Remember, Look Forward, and be Nurtured by Christ

Jesus teaches the disciples a new way to worship, to remember, to look forward to, and to be nurtured by him. 

Matthew 26:26-30 ²⁶ While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." ²⁷ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; ²⁸ for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. ²⁹ I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." ³⁰ When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

This new ritual that Jesus taught his disciples is still practiced today.  We know it by the names of Eucharist, The Lord's Supper, or Communion.  Christians believe different things about it.  Some believe the bread and wine turn into the actual body and blood of Christ.  Others believe it is just symbolic.  And there are those who believe things in between those extremes.  Whatever one believes, Jesus was teaching this new ritual to the disciples as a way to worship, to remember, to look forward to celebrating it again with him one day, and to be nourished by him.  Matthew records that the blood represents the new covenant that will begin with the death of Christ when his blood is poured out - a covenant where our sins are forgiven and makes possible our reunion with Christ.

Do we ignore Jesus' example of practicing communion?