The Gospels describe Jesus instituting a practice during his last Passover meal with his disciples that Christians understand as a commemoration of his death. Here's where you can find the accounts:
* Matthew 26:26-29: "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”"
* Mark 14:22-25: "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”"
* Luke 22:14-20: "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 from 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.”
* 1 Corinthians 11:23-26: (Paul's account, claiming to have received it directly from the Lord) "For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: 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 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.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes."
Key Points:
* "Do this in remembrance of me": This phrase, found in Luke and 1 Corinthians, is the most direct instruction to repeat the practice.
* The bread and the cup: Jesus identifies the bread with his body and the cup with his blood, signifying the sacrifice he was about to make.
* Proclaiming the Lord's death: Paul emphasizes that partaking in this meal is a way of announcing or declaring the significance of Jesus' death.
Interpretation:
Christians interpret these passages as Jesus instituting a memorial meal (often called Communion, the Lord's Supper, or the Eucharist) to remember his sacrifice. The focus is not on celebrating death in a joyous sense, but on remembering the significance of his death for the forgiveness of sins and the establishment of a new covenant between God and humanity. While the passages don't use the word "celebrate", the act of regularly remembering and reflecting on the meaning of his death is a central practice in Christianity.