The Passover Connection

The accounts of institution say that Jesus took a loaf and a cup and blessed them; they were two elements present at the Passover meal. That was the occasion on which Jesus instituted this memorial of his upcoming crucifixion.

The connection between communion and Passover draws attention to a singular point about Jesus’ life and death. His body and blood given for us in crucifixion correspond to the Passover lamb sacrificed at this time. Jesus’ death is to the Christian system what the paschal sacrifice was to the Mosaic system: they had to do with getting rid of sin.

Remembering him is more than remembering an outstanding historical figure; it is remembering him as the continuing one represented by these emblems. Together we are participating in a remembrance of the most significant set of events in the faith.