Immediately before his crucifixion, on the first day of the Jewish feast of Unleavened Bread, Jesus directed his disciples to go to an upper room in Jerusalem where they prepared for the Passover (see Mark 14:12-16). Before the meal Jesus gave the disciples a lesson in humility and service by assuming the garb of a servant and washing their feet. During the meal, Judas Iscariot was identified as the one who would betray Jesus, by taking the bread which Jesus offered him (in John 13:1-30).

After the meal Jesus broke a loaf of bread and shared it with his disciples, and also shared a cup of wine with them. Luke records: "When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, 'I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.' After taking the cup he gave thanks and said, 'Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.' And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way after the supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'" (Luke 22:14-20).

The bread and the wine is shared by all who wish to remember the death and the resurrection of Jesus, and the hope of eternal life that he has given us. We do so in obedience to his instruction "Do this in remembrance of me." (Luke 22:19). It links us in fellowship with Christ and our brothers and sisters: it demonstrates faith in the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus, and our confidence that he will return to set up God's kingdom on earth. The apostle Paul wrote "For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." (1 Corinthians 11:26).

The Last Supper is not a continuing of the Jewish Passover in a Christian context. Jesus was offered as a sacrifice upon the cross. Sharing the bread and wine is the commemoration of the 'new covenant' in which we celebrate the grace of God towards us in forgiving our sins for Christ's sake, and offering us a place in His kingdom.

(See also BREAD, BREAKING BREAD, WINE).