Celebrating the Lord's Supper
Signficance of the Bread and Fruit of the Vine in the Holy Communion
May 26, 2009
Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples on the night he was betrayed. During that Last Supper meal, he informed his disciples of his impending death and instructed them on how they should commemorate his death in the future.
The Bible states, "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 covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." (Matthew 26:26-28)
The instructions for this commemoration are also recorded in Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:15-20 and 1 Corinthians 11:23-25. This celebration is referred to today as the Lord's Supper, the Communion or the Eucharist.
Emblems of the Lord's Supper
There are two emblems associated with the Lord's Supper: unleavened bread and the juice from the "fruit of the vine."
Eating unleavened bread was a requirement of the Passover to signify Israel's haste in leaving Egypt after God freed them from slavery (Exodus 12:14-20; 23:15). The "fruit of the vine" is considered by many Christians to mean unfermented, or yeast-free, grape juice which would be consistent with the use of yeast-free bread; however, other Christians believe that the use of wine is acceptable.
Bread and the Lord's Supper
Under the Law of Moses, goats, bulls and other animals were offered as sacrifices to God. Jesus told his disciples that the unleavened bread symbolized his body which was being offered as a sacrifice for the sins of all mankind.
Paul later affirmed this by writing "And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?" (1 Corinthians 10:16)
Fruit of the Vine and the Lord's Supper
Blood is the basic source of life for all living creatures and the shedding of animals' blood under the Law of Moses provided atonement for the Jews. However, the blood which Jesus shed in his one sacrifice on the cross provides actual forgiveness for all who wish to receive it and is symbolized by the fruit of the vine.
As Paul wrote, "Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ?" (1 Corinthians 10:16).
Warning About the Lord's Supper
After explaining the significance of the Lord's Supper, Paul also issues a warning, in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29. Partaking of the communion bread and communion cup of the Lord's Supper without recognizing or remembering Jesus' sacrifice is a sin. Paul encourages those who participate in the communion to be mindful of their thoughts and to reflect soberly on the sacrifice of Jesus which provides an opportunity for everyone to be saved from their sins.
When to Celebrate the Lord's Supper
Christians differ on how often to serve the Lord's Supper. Many churches celebrate the Lord's Supper every Sunday, citing the statement in Acts 20:7, "On the first day of the week when we gathered to break bread..."
Luke was describing the activities of a seven-day visit to Troas and the implication is that the breaking of bread was a weekly occurrence there. Other churches, however, only partake of the communion periodically such as once each month, once each quarter or on special occasions.
Summary of Lord's Supper
As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11: 26, "For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
The Lord's Supper is a gift from Christ to his church. It provides a way for his followers to remember his sacrifice for mankind and to look forward to his return. Participation in the communion, then, should be taken seriously and with proper reflection.
 |
