Note 2 at Mk. 14:22: Some people have taken this statement by Jesus, "This is my body," to mean that the elements used in communion actually become the physical flesh and blood of Jesus. Jesus did speak of eating His flesh and drinking His blood in John 6:53-54, and Paul reveals very serious consequences for eating and drinking of the Lord's table unworthily (1 Cor. 11:27-30). This certainly attaches a worth to this rite of communion but it is not scriptural to say that the elements actually change into Christ's flesh and blood.

Jesus also said, "I am the door of the sheep" (Jn. 10:7,9), and "I am the true vine" (Jn. 15:1), but that didn't mean He was claiming to be a physical door or vine. He used expressions symbolically many times and this is what He is doing in this instance.

Both Luke and the apostle Paul emphasize that the purpose of communion is to remember Jesus and His atoning work (Lk. 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:25; see note 2 at Lk. 22:19, p. 415). There is no power or holiness in the elements themselves. The benefit that is derived from observing the Lord's Supper comes from our faith as it is stirred up through remembering what Jesus did for us.