Institution of the Eucharist

During the Last Supper with his twelve apostles on the eve of Passover, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Similarly, he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”

This meal transformed the Passover celebration into a memorial of Jesus’ impending sacrifice on the cross. Just as the Passover lamb’s blood marked Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, Jesus’ blood would secure a new exodus from sin and death. The broken bread and poured wine symbolized his body and blood given for humanity’s redemption.

Christians understand this institution variously: Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox believe in transubstantiation (the bread and wine become Christ’s actual body and blood), Lutherans hold to consubstantiation (Christ’s presence with the elements), and Reformed traditions see it as a spiritual presence or memorial. Regardless of interpretation, the Eucharist (from Greek “thanksgiving”) has remained the central act of Christian worship for two millennia, uniting believers with Christ’s sacrifice and with one another in the body of Christ.