Communion: What Does It Mean? (The Crackers And The Juice)

It isn’t the invention of Christians to fill time in the service (like greeting card companies creating special days for you to buy cards).

It is a Memorial like God’s Rainbow in the sky after the flood!

Paul is talking about the subject of passing on God’s Revelation concerning Communion.

This is military language. What was received (from God), was passed on to others. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians was written prior to the gospel records of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. It says here that he received it from the Lord. God revealing truth to Paul is confirmed in other New Testament material.

Gal. 1:11-12 NIV I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

Christians all over the world have celebrated Communion – The LORD’s Supper for over 2,000 years.

WHEN DID IT START?

“…The Lord Jesus, on the night

he was betrayed, took bread,”

What night is this? The night in which Jesus was betrayed! Jesus’ last night on earth and HIS betrayal serve as the backdrop of this Memorial Celebration.

It was this night Jesus celebrated the last Passover Celebration that would ever have to be observed with his disciples. The Passover commemorated the Israelites release from bondage in Egypt were they were slaves for 400 years. The Lord’s Supper commemorates believers being set free form sin and receiving eternal life.

THE PASSOVER

1st Cup – wine passed around

Bitter herbs (slavery) are dipped in stewed fruit sauce (misery making bricks)

The Message of Passover is told

Psalms are sung from the Hallel (Psalms 113-118)

2nd Cup – wine was passed

unleavened bread was broken

meal was eaten

3rd Cup – wine was passed

The rest of the Hallel was sung

This is the cup of blessing which Jesus talked about the New Covenant

Luke 22:20 NIV 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.

4th Cup – wine was passed

Talk about the future Kingdom

THE LORD’S SUPPER - THE BREAD

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.”

1 Cor. 11:23b-24 NIV

The Bread and the Cup symbolize the atoning work of Christ on the Cross. Eternal life was obtained for those who believe by His death, burial and resurrection from the dead.

He Blessed it

He Broke it

He Gave it

He said

“This is my body, which is for you;

Jesus wasn’t talking about the Bread mystically becoming the body of Christ any more than HIM becoming a door when HE said, “I AM the Door.”

Jesus is speaking about HIS incarnation – His becoming flesh so that He could die to redeem us. HIS life was given for us so that God and sinners could be reconciled!

All of Jesus’ pain and suffering took place in HIS earthly body! His body was crushed but no bone was broken.

So when we eat the bread we are suppose to think about the suffering and death of Jesus for us!