Chapter 11.14
Lord’s Supper
Observance
of sacrifice or a celebration
Mystery
of the FOURTH CUP
First Word
It
is thought by most Christians that the Lord’s Supper was actually
intended to be the Passover Supper that was observed by all the Jews. However, this Old Testament observance was
changed to a New Testament observance. A New Covenant for an Old Covenant.
The Passover
The Israelites were slaves in
Egypt, and God through Moses was about to liberate them. The Passover was instituted on the same
night, when God told the Israelites to place lambs
blood on the door post of their
home. The Death Angel would then “Passover”
them when he came to kill all the first born of Egypt.[1]
Passover
gets its English name from the Hebrew word “Pesach “meaning; I will pass over you.
The Lamb that was slain was symbolic of
Christ who would come and shed His blood on the door post of our heart.[2] The Passover is a seven day celebration with the main feast on the first night commemorating the historic passing from
slavery into a Nation under God.
This is the most important religious event of the year in Israel.
The Passover clearly shows how deeply rooted the Christian faith is
with the people of Israel.
Exodus 12:3-14 – Instructions for the Passover
meal
3 Tell the whole
community of
6 Take care of
them until the fourteenth day of the month… the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them
at twilight.
7 Then they are to
take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of
the houses where they eat the lambs.
11 This is how you
are to eat it: with your CLOAK tucked into your BELT, your SANDALS on your feet and your STAFF in your hand.
Eat it in haste; it is the LORD's Passover.
12 "On that
same night I will pass through
13 THE BLOOD WILL BE A SIGN FOR YOU ON THE HOUSES
WHERE YOU ARE; AND WHEN I SEE THE BLOOD, I WILL PASS OVER YOU.
14 "This is
a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate
it as a festival to the LORD--a lasting ordinance.
NIV
Feast of the Unleavened
Bread
At this same time, God
also instituted the “Feast of Unleavened Bread”.[3] For seven days they were to eat unleavened
bread. Leaven was a symbol
of evil and false doctrine and
it was to be put out of their houses during these seven days.[4]
The unleavened bread also symbolizes the haste that the Israelites had
when leaving Egypt as there was no time to wait for the bread to rise and to
pack a lunch.
The First Preparations
On the first day of
the “Feast
of Unleavened Bread”, the disciples went to Jesus and asked where He
would like to eat the “Passover Supper”. Jesus told Peter and John to go to the city
and there they would find a man who would let them use his house for the
Passover meal.[5]
The preparations were on the same day on which the “Passover Lamb” had to be
sacrificed. For foreigners and others
that were considered ceremonially unclean, the lamb must be sacrificed at the
temple.
The lamb would be killed between 3 and 6 pm; the exact time of the day
when Jesus,
the Lamb of
God would have been killed.
Later it would be roasted (not
boiled) and eaten while sitting around a table with the family; in this
case His family was His Disciples.[6]
Livestock pens would be found for
the selling of sheep, goats and cattle… Booths selling clay dishes, vegetables, wine, oil
and salt… Ovens
setup for roasting meat… Money changers for
exchanging foreign coins.
The Food
Water: A dish of
salt water for washing the hands represented the tears of the slaves.
Red
Wine: As
the feast progressed, their cup would be refilled four times with RED wine representing the blood.
The
Lamb: A one year old male lamb without blemish,
roasted
and not boiled was to be eaten without breaking a bone in his
body. It was called the “Paschal Lamb”
and was eaten with the bitter herbs. Jesus was the
Lamb of God; not a bone in Jesus’
body was broken.
Bitter
herbs salad consisted of bitter lettuce, chicory or endive; Today, Jews use grated
horseradish or onion, parsley and watercress.
It was symbolic of how the Egyptians embittered their live during
captivity.
Haroset
sauce or
fruit pulp was grated apples, chopped nuts, sugar, cinnamon and sweet red wine
mashed together into a texture resembling mortar, making a thick dip. It represents the mortar of Pharaoh’s building
projects.
Unleavened
bread; Wrapped in a napkin, there were three
wafers of bread such as Matzos; which had a texture like a cracker. Represented their quick flight out of bondage.
Other
dishes;
a hardboiled egg and sweet vegetables also for dipping.
The Lord’s Supper - A sacrifice of praise and
thanksgiving.
In an upper room,
Jesus prepared both Himself and His disciples for His death. The term “The Lord’s Supper”[7] is
actually used only once in the Bible, along with “The Lords Table”[8]
and “The
Communion”. [9] It
gets its name from Paul who referred to it as “The Supper of the Lord”.
The Greek word “Eucharist”[10] (Pronounced;
Yoo-Kuh-Rist) was used in conjunction with Holy Communion of the
bread and wine and means “gratitude” or the “giving of thanks”.
It’s also known as the “Seder meal”; Seder in Hebrew means “Service.” The Greek word “Koinonia” is translated; Fellowship,
Communion or Sharing.[11]
The celebration is twofold:
1) The Jews rejoicing that God delivered them
from their enemies and their future as Gods children;
2) The celebration of Jesus delivering them
from their sins and the expectancy of His return.
The host would recline back
on cushions recalling the ancient mode of eating. The wine would be mixed with one part water
and three parts wine and then a blessing was pronounced over the day and the FIRST CUP of “red” wine; next a ritual washing of hands, cups,
pitchers and kettles would take place symbolizing the distinction between the Jews and the Gentiles. This was followed by “bitter herbs” dipped into “haroseth” fruit sauce and then eaten.
When the main meal was brought in and placed on a “Seder Plate”, the youngest boy
would ask FOUR QUESTIONS to the Host
about the feast and the host would give the explanations.
a)
Why is the night of Passover different from other
nights of the year?
b)
Why do we eat unleavened bread and bitter herbs?
c)
Why do we dip the vegetables?
d)
Why does the host chair have cushions?
After that they sang the first half of a song (Great Hallel) drank a SECOND CUP of wine; followed by “Blessing God” for bringing forth
the bread; then they broke the bread and gave it to the guest and the main meal
began; the Lamb would be eaten last.
After the meal, another prayer was said over a THIRD CUP of
wine; this time a prayer of thanksgiving for the meal. Then they sang the second half of the song (Great
Hallel); and a FORTH CUP of wine celebrating God’s Kingdom.
The MANY are bound together as ONE when sharing the cup and the bread.[12]
The Meal
Jesus blessed the bread
and broke it and gave it to His disciples and told them to eat this bread as a
symbol of His body which would be broken for them. To do this in remembrance of Him. (His body was broken, but not His
bones) The bread was also a symbol of “affliction”
which the Jews of old ate as they were set free in haste from Egypt. In the wilderness the Israelites bodies were
nourished physically
with Heavenly food. Now through the body
of Christ, our bodies are nourished spiritually with that same food.[13]
Then He took the cup of wine and “gave thanks” (Eucharist)[14] to God for
it. He then gave it to the disciples and
told them to “drink ye ALL of it”; this symbolized
His blood that would be shed to take away their sins. NOTE: The
translation should have read: “ALL of you drink of it”, not drink ALL of it.[15]
Jesus is pointing to His impending death on the cross and His body
broken and His blood shed. The Passover
rite has now been transcended, as He will become the Passover Lamb fulfilling the scriptures. His body and blood “represents” or is “symbolic”
of His death
Now, each time we eat the bread and drink of the wine, we are
remembering His death, resurrection, and the promise of His return;[16]
Jesus said, “do
it often.”[17]
In Matthew, we do not see a Lamb or a meat mentioned. Perhaps this is because Jesus was the Lamb
that would be sacrificed and His blood would seal the New Covenant.
Scripture shows the Lamb symbolically as a type of Christ.[18]
Roman
Catholics believe in the doctrine
of “transubstantiation”
that the bread and wine actually turn into the body and blood of Jesus Christ
when received. While this teaching
fosters a serious attitude toward the elements taken; it is in
error, it is only figurative
language. Christ is not present in the
elements, but is present at the table in the form of the Holy Spirit. The focus is on the finished work of Jesus
Christ and not the elements taken.
The practice of the Lord’s Supper carried over “into their homes” where they
broke bread and shared what they had in common with the others.[19] After they had sung the last song, they went
to the Garden
of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed in agony.
SIDE
BAR: While today we
observe the
Lord’s Supper symbolically with
only a piece of cracker and a sip of juice, the Israelites observed it as a full meal. There was a common table with everyone
bringing something. The rich brought a lot of food and pushed ahead to get
their MEAL and much WINE; overlooking
the poor as well as the solemn observance of the life of our Savior; they were strongly rebuked and warned
of judgment.
The meal was in two parts; the FIRST was the common
meal which had serious excesses or
greed,
gluttony, selfishness and drunkenness followed then by the SECOND Solemn rite of
the Eucharistic.
Later, Paul issued a warning to separate
these two rites, to keep it Holy, and they did.
1 Corenthians 11:20-21 – Don’t forget why you are
partaking
20 When you come
together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat,
21 for as you
eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry,
another gets drunk NIV
1 Corenthians 11:34 – If you’re hungry you should
eat at home
34 If anyone is
hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.
NIV
Communion
Communion definition: A having in common; a partnership; to
fellowship, to participate with someone; to share. When we partake of the Lord’s Supper or Communion,
we are fellowshipping
with Jesus and in a sense we are sharing in things common with Him; Christ is
present at the table.[20]
As we partake of the wine and bread; God imparts nourishment to our bodies and
our inner spirit man becomes strengthened…
We feed on the Lord and He said to do it often.
It’s a mystery how the Holy
Spirit imparts nourishment,[21]
but we participate in the benefits of His death and resurrection; the
forgiveness of sin and the assurance of His presence. The wine is symbolic of His covenant with us
through His shed blood for the forgiveness of our sins;[22]
and that He makes intercession for us.
Communion is not “the elements” of the wine and bread, but the
Church communing with Christ.[23]
It’s an event, not an object… an encounter, not a miracle of wine
turning to blood.[24]
It looks back commemorating
the deliverance from Egypt as they were saved from the destroying death angel
and delivered from servitude.
It looks forward in expectancy
to His return and the coming messianic kingdom of God. His death is our means of salvation and we
are therefore spared eternal death. It
is symbolic of the “eschatological banquet” yet to come in Heaven,
physically with Christ. This is an
oneness with the body of Christ, which each person is a part. It is a remembrance of the “historical” Jesus, and also a joyful
proclamation of the “living presence” of the Holy Spirit who guides our every step.[25]
Mixed emotions; Solemn but Joyful.
Nobody Is Worthy of Taking Communion
NOTE: Satan would have us to believe that no one is
worthy of receiving the Lord’s Supper.
In a sense that is true, but the confession
and repentance of our sin and a desire to fellowship with God, coupled with our acceptance
of the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior makes us worthy to participate.
EXAMINE yourself, CONFESS your sins to God and
RECEIVE[26] the Spiritual nourishment of the Lord’s
Supper.[27]
Examine Yourself
It is not a small thing
to partake of the “Lord’s Supper”; we are to examine ourselves
for our worthiness; to confess our sins before God and ask forgiveness. To acknowledge God for who He is and recommit
our life to Him. To have a loving concern for every member of the body. To reject willful sin and idolatry.
We cannot drink from the cup of Christ and
also be partakers of the cup of Satan.
If we partake of the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner, we are eating
and drinking damnation to ourselves. Un-confessed sin will bring sickness into
our home.[28]
Many people now partake unworthily and
their bodies are sickly and some die[29]
and don’t even know why. If we partake
of this “communion”
in an unworthy manner, God says we share in the guilt of the “Killing of His Son”.[30] Good
Grief
The Place To Get What You
Need.
Coming to the Lord’s Table should
make a difference in our lives. It’s the
place to get right with God; a place to receive forgiveness; healing, fellowship,
empowerment, new direction, wisdom, understanding, knowledge, peace, patience,
joy, love, goodness, kindness, gentleness and faithfulness.[31] It’s a chance to know our savior better and
to learn where we are in our walk with Him.
Do It in Remembrance
Jesus said to observe the
Lord’s Table in remembrance of Him.[32] The
Passover was both the looking back at God’s deliverance of Israel out of Egypt
as well as the greatest act of Jesus in the deliverance of us out of sin and
death. This remembrance is a proclamation
toward men; it is not the “absence”, but the powerful “presence”
of Jesus Christ in our lives.
Remembering His death until He comes again. [33]
Consider the words of the dying thief on the cross when he said to
Jesus; “Remember
me”.[34] He was not asking Jesus to just think of him,
but was asking for an act of mercy.
The Fourth Cup – The Mystery
Ponder the Forth Cup Mystery: It’s a
revelation… It’s a proclamation… It’s a
promise.
There were four cups of wine at the Passover meal. Jesus did not drink the fourth cup; the Passover
meal was not completed. Jesus said He would drink it with us anew in
Heaven; this is the expectation of the resumption of the “Messianic Banquet” in the
kingdom of God with Christ at the head of table; where all believers will drink
with Him the FOURTH CUP.[35]
It is finished… This brings tears to my eyes.
Jesus said that He would leave and go and prepare a place for us, and
that He would come again to receive us, so that we might be in His physical
presence.[36] After Jesus returned to Heaven the disciples
continued the practice of fellowship and the breaking of bread and prayer in
their homes.[37]
(Giving thanks – Eucharist)
Ephesians 3:14-19
- Paul’s Prayer for us in four
dimensions
14 For this
reason I
kneel before the Father,
15 from whom his
whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches He may
strengthen you with power through
his Spirit in your inner being,
17 so that Christ may
dwell in your hearts through faith. And
I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
18 may have power,
together with all the saints,
to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
19 and to know
this love
that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of
all the fullness of God.
NIV
The
Take Away
Originally the “Lord’s Supper” was the Passover meal shared
during the Feast
of the Unleavened Bread. Jesus
changed this Old Covenant ordinance for a New Covenant ordinance.
The term Communion, the Lord’s Table and
the Lord’s Supper are all interchangeable. The term Eucharist means gratitude or giving
thanks. It’s a lasting ordinance to
remember Christ’s death, resurrection and His second coming.
It’s a celebration of the deliverance from the bondage of Egypt and the
celebration of deliverance from sin through Jesus Christ. We are cautioned not
to partake of it unworthily.
Jesus
Christ is present at the Lord’s Table; He is more present with the
partaker during communion than any time.
The Lord’s
Table is a place to come and
receive what you need. We will drink the fourth cup
of wine with Jesus at the banquet in the Kingdom of God.
I include
this song of the “Great Hallel”
in case you
were wondering about it.
Psalms 113-114 - THE FIRST HALF OF THE HALLEL
Praise the LORD
Psalm 113
1 Praise, O
servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.
2 Let the name
of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore.
3 From the
rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be
praised.
4 The LORD is
exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like
the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high,
6 who stoops down
to look on the heavens and the earth?
7 He raises the
poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
8 he seats them
with princes, with the princes of their people.
9 He settles the
barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children.
Praise the LORD.
Psalms 114
1 When
2
3 The sea looked
and fled, the
4 the mountains
skipped like rams, the hills like lambs.
5 Why was it, O
sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back,
6 you mountains,
that you skipped like rams, you hills, like lambs?
7 Tremble, O
earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,
8 who turned the
rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water.
NIV
Psalms 115-118 - THE SECOND HALF OF THE HALLEL
Psalm 115
1 Not to us, O
LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and
faithfulness.
2 Why do the
nations say, "Where is their God?"
3 Our God is in
heaven; he does whatever pleases him.
4 But their
idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.
5 They have
mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see;
6 they have
ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell;
7 they have
hands, but cannot feel, feet, but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound
with their throats.
8 Those who make
them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.
9 O house of
10 O house of
Aaron, trust in the LORD--he is their help and shield.
11 You who fear
him, trust in the LORD--he is their help and shield.
12 The LORD
remembers us and will bless us: He will bless the house of
13 he will bless
those who fear the LORD--small and great alike.
14 May the LORD
make you increase, both you and your children.
15 May you be
blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
16 The highest
heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to man.
17 It is not the
dead who praise the LORD, those who go down to silence;
18 it is we who
extol the LORD, both now and forevermore.
Praise the LORD.
Psalm 116
1 I love the
LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he
turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The cords of
death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by
trouble and sorrow.
4 Then I called
on the name of the LORD: "O LORD, save me!"
5 The LORD is
gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
6 The LORD
protects the simple hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.
7 Be at rest
once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.
8 For you, O
LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from
stumbling,
9 that I may
walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
10 I believed;
therefore I said, "I am greatly afflicted."
11 And in my
dismay I said, "All men are liars."
12 How can I
repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?
13 I will lift
up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.
14 I will
fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in
the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
16 O LORD, truly
I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have
freed me from my chains.
17 I will
sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD.
18 I will
fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people, 19 in the courts
of the house of the LORD--in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD.
Psalm 117
1 Praise the
LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.
2 For great is
his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD.
Psalm 118
1 Give thanks to
the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
2 Let Israel
say: "His love endures forever."
3 Let the house
of Aaron say: "His love endures forever."
4 Let those who
fear the LORD say: "His love endures forever."
5 In my anguish
I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free.
6 The LORD is
with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
7 The LORD is
with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.
8 It is better
to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
9 It is better
to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.
10 All the
nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
11 They
surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
12 They swarmed
around me like bees, but they died out as quickly as burning thorns; in the
name of the LORD I cut them off.
13 I was pushed
back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me.
14 The LORD is
my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
15 Shouts of joy
and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: "The LORD's right hand
has done mighty things!
16 The LORD's
right hand is lifted high; the LORD's right hand has done mighty things!"
17 I will not
die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done. 18 The LORD has
chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death.
19 Open for me
the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.
20 This is the
gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter.
21 I will give
you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.
22 The stone the
builders rejected has become the capstone;
23 the LORD has
done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the
day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 O LORD, save
us; O LORD, grant us success.
26 Blessed is he
who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless
you.
27 The LORD is
God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the
festal procession up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my
God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you.
29 Give thanks
to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
NIV
[2] John 1:29 – Jesus is the
Lamb of God
[3] Exodus 12:17– Celebration
of the Feast of Unleavened bread a lasting
ordinance for the generations to come..
[4]
Exodus 12:25-26 – Command to observe this ceremony when you enter the
land that the LORD will
give you
[5] Matthew 26:17-18 Go into
the city to such a man, and say unto him I will keep the Passover at thy house
with my disciples
[6] Matthew 26:20 – The
family of twelve sit down with Jesus
[7] 1 Corenthians 11:20 – The
meal also called The Lord’s Supper
[8] 1 Corenthians 10:21 – The
meal also called The Lord’s Table
[9] 1 Corenthians 10:16 - The
meal also called The Communion
[10] Luke 22:19 – The meal
also called the Eucharist -- 1 Corenthians
11:24 – The meal also Called the Eucharist
[11] Exodus 13:8-10 – You must keep this ordinance and explain what all the
symbolism means to you son
[12] 1 Corenthians 10:17 – MANY; the body partake and
become ONE
with Christ.
[13] Deuteronomy 8:3 – God’s
Word is Spiritual Manna
[14] Matthew 26:26 – Jesus
blessed the bread; “Eucharist”
[15] Matthew 26:27 – (Drink ye all of it) Everybody
drink of it’ participate
[16] 1 Corenthians 11:24-25 –
Do this in remembrance of me
[17] 1 Corenthians 11:26 – The observance; do it
often
[18] 1 Corenthians 5:7 – THE LAMB is symbolic of a type of Christ
[19] Acts 2:42-47 – Devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, sharing,
prayer, praising and enjoying the goodwill.
[20] 1 Corenthians 10:16 – It is
communion with the body of Christ.
[21] Romans 8:11 – The Spirit
gives life and nourishment to our mortal bodies.
[22] Matthew 26:28 – The blood of the new covenant is poured out for the
forgiveness of sin
[23] Ephesian 2:4-7 – We are
made alive in Christ and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ
Jesus
[24] Mark 14:24 – This is my
blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many
[25] John 16:13 – The Spirit HAS COME and guides
us NOW
[26] Colossians 2:9-10 – We receive the fullness of Christ
[27] Colossians 2:19 – Receive nourishment to the joints of your body
[28] 1 Corenthians 10:21 – You
cannot be in willful sin and take communion.
[29] 1 Corenthians 11:27-30 – Don’t participate in an unworthy manner, it could kill you
[30] 1 Corinthians 11:27 - Whoever
eats the Lords Supper in an unworthy way will be guilty
of sin against the body and blood of the Lord
[31] Galatians 5:22-23 – The fruit of the Spirit love,
joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and
self-control.
[32] John 6:53-56 - Remember, commemorate, proclaim -- John 6:51 – Jesus
is the Bread of Heaven
[33] 1 Corenthians 11:26 –
Remember until He comes again
[34] Luke 23:42 – Remember me
when you come into your kingdom
[35] Matthew 26:29 – We will
drink the Fourth Cup of new wine with Him in Heaven
[37] Acts 2:42 – They
continued to devote themselves in the fellowship and prayer
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