The true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ are present in the Lord’s Supper, along with the bread and wine.

“…The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘This is My body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same way, after supper, He took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’ ” (1 Corinthians 11:23b-25)

“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the Body of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10:16)

God offers us forgiveness and strength for living a Christian life in this Sacrament.

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat, this is My body.’ Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the new covenant which is poured out for many, for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:27-28)

“I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.”(John 15:5)

“Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment upon himself.” (1 Corinthians 11:27-29)

The Lord’s Supper is not merely a symbol or representation of something that is not present but rather a means by which we receive the very body and blood of Christ. Therefore proper preparation includes repenting of sin, recognizing Christ’s real presence in, with and under the bread and wine, recognizing our unity with those who commune with us and finally renewing our devotion to turn our back on sin and seek to follow Christ.