During the last supper, Jesus gathered with his disciples and shared bread and wine with them in a very significant way. He declared that the bread represented his body and the cup of wine his blood. This meal was not just a one time event but something Jesus commanded his disciples to do often. We welcome Nick to this episode to discuss his in-depth studies on the symbolism involved and what it means for our lives.
Study aids
Bread & Wine Parallel Records Handout
Key verse
“And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.””
Luke 22:19
How did it begin?
Night before Jesus died, upper room Matt 26:26-30 (also recorded in Mark 14, and Luke 22)
Why the bread and wine?
Luke 22:19, 1 Cor 11:24,25 “Do this in remembrance of me” and 1 Cor. 11:26 “to proclaim the Lord’s death.”
Jesus was known for this (Luke 24:35)
The believers continued in this Acts 2:42, when and how often? Acts 20:7
What does it mean?
Bread in scripture is a symbol of food, and is seen as the fundamentals for life. As such it became a symbol of man’s labour to produce food. Gen 3:19; John 6:26-27
Christ took this bread, he broke it and said this my body which is given for you, this do in remembrance of me. He wanted the disciples to remember how he lived his life in giving himself for others.
Christ just demonstrated this literally as he washed their feet (still stuck in their minds John 13:15-17)
Symbol of body
Christ said “this is my body”
Represents a body of believers 1 Cor 10:16-17; 1 Cor 12 (beautiful analogy of a group of believers working together as one body) ends with v27
Taking of the bread we therefore examine ourselves (1 Cor. 11:28), how we are helping the body of Christ (1 Cor. 11:29)
Fellowship
Conclusion of self examination (1 Cor. 11:28) – we are all sinners
Thereby have fellowship as realizing the need to work together 1 Cor 10:16-17