For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26 NKJV

One of my most memorable experiences of the Lord’s Supper occurred a few years ago when my husband and I visited Jerusalem. We gathered with a group of believers at the Garden of the Tomb, near a possible site of Golgotha where Jesus Christ was crucified.

There, in a secluded area surrounded by blooms and birdsong, we bowed our heads in repentance…shared bread and wine…offered prayer and singing…and left in worship of the risen Lord. I saved the thimble-sized communion cup, made of olive wood, as a memory of that once-in-a-lifetime sacrament.

Recently, at another church’s observation of communion, the pastor shared a striking remark from one of his church members. “Brother,” said the member, “I could feel a huge burden lifted off my shoulders during the Lord’s Supper.” 

I instantly visualized the main character in John Bunyan’s work, “The Pilgrim’s Progress.” In the allegory, Christian embarks on a long spiritual journey that begins with carrying a large, heavy pack on his back. Once he makes it past the narrow gate, Christian soon arrives at the cross…where his burden tumbles off, never to be lifted again. 

Until this church member’s comment, I had never seen communion as an opportunity to let my burdens go as Christian did. 

I love the Lord’s Supper because it is essentially a private time to talk with God, inserted into our corporate worship. Its chief purpose, however, is as a sacrament of remembrance. This time is to be celebrated in thankful recollection of His death on the cross for our salvation. 

We remember in the bread that His body was broken and in the cup that His blood was shed for us, to pay for our sins. We speak directly from our hearts to Jesus, telling Him we are sorrowful for our sins, asking for His forgiveness and His help in turning away from evil.

Before we come to His table, however, God’s children are to prepare themselves “by examining themselves of their being in Christ; of their sins and wants; of the truth and measure of their knowledge, faith, repentance, love to God and the brethren, charity to all men, forgiving those that have done them wrong; of their desires after Christ, and of their new obedience….” (See Westminster Larger Catechism, Question 171.)*

It’s important to come to Christ’s feast with this mindset, in humility as His beloved children. But what about as we leave the service? 

Too often, I find myself trudging out the door afterward, carrying my sins with me. In my imagination, I see myself with a plastic garbage bag labeled “All the Stuff I Did Wrong This Week” still on my back. I haven’t let it go.

Do you ever do that? If you’re in my camp, it’s because we fail to recognize that Jesus does all the work for us. 

When we come to Him in this meal, our Advocate Christ pleads for us in heaven. As the words of confession rise from our hearts, He delivers us from the guilt of our sins and takes our burdens upon Himself. 

His death on the cross is complete. In His dying moments, He said “Tetelestai”—a Greek word meaning “It is finished” or “It is paid in full” (John 19:30). The significance is that Jesus’ death on the cross is a one-time sacrifice, a transaction that has paid our debts in full.

Friend, if you and I are still carrying a burden of sin around with us after the Lord’s Supper, we’re not placing our full trust in Jesus. We’re stuck in a mindset that we still somehow must atone for our sins in our own efforts. Yes, we need to repent and turn away from old ways. Yes, we need to persevere in our pursuit of obedience to His commands. But forgiveness is God’s business. And He has accomplished it through His Son Jesus. We can rest in that truth.

It’s important to note that in Bunyan’s story, Christian does not unload his burden himself—it effortlessly falls off, a testimony to Christ’s work, not ours. 

If you’re struggling with a particular load in your life, take it to the Lord’s Table, the place where He permanently lifts the weight and shame of our sins off our shoulders and onto His. 

Next time you attend a church where the Lord’s Supper is offered, prepare yourself in advance. Examine your heart, pray for God to reveal any patterns that would grieve His Holy Spirit, and come ready to receive His forgiveness. Grasp it and hold onto it. Let Him fill your heart with joy by removing your guilt.

Perhaps it will be a moment of “blooms and birdsong” as we experienced in the Garden of the Tomb. But wherever you are, His forgiveness will bring you a refreshed spirit, one that will lead you deeper into the lightness of His love.

Jesus, I come to You now with the recognition that I have been carrying the burden of my sin far too long. Forgive me for believing that You aren’t loving enough to forgive, that my sins have been too bad, that I must somehow “fix things” myself. Help me remember that You are the One who has died on the cross, the One who has permanently taken my place in the judgment seat. Thank You for Your salvation and removing the burden of shame and guilt from my soul. Bless me with Your love and lightness of heart! In Your powerful name, Amen.

Nancy C. Williams is a Christian wife/mom with a writing career spanning more than 40 years in business and journalism. Williams is the author of the novel To Love a Falcon and the devotional book A Crocus in the Desert: Devotions, Stories, and Prayers for Women Experiencing Infertility. Her blogs are featured on Crossmap.com and AriseDaily. To follow Nancy’s posts and news, go to her home page at NancyCWilliams.com and subscribe at the bottom. 

© Copyright 2026 Nancy C. Williams (text and photography). Unless otherwise noted, Scripture verses are taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. #Lord’sSupper #communion #communiontable #Lord’sTable #forgiveness #gardenofthetomb #Jerusalem #johnbunyan #pilgrim’sprogress #breadandwine

*https://thewestminsterstandard.org/westminster-larger-catechism/