Communion - Bread and Juice

1) “Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?...And as they were [finishing] eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.” Matthew 26:17, 26-30.

“And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22:17-20.

The bread symbolizes the body of Jesus Christ. It is not the actual body of Jesus Christ, but just a symbol. So by eating this Communion bread symbolizing the body of Jesus, it further symbolizes that Christ, who is the Word and Truth of God, is working in you and thus nourishing your spiritual life.

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16.

The grape juice symbolizes the shed blood of Jesus Christ. It is not that this grape juice is the actual blood of Christ, but just a symbol. So by drinking this grape juice symbolizing the blood of Jesus, it further symbolizes that you have been washed clean from all of your sins, both outwardly and internally.

“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:5-9.

“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.” 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.

These verses show us that we are to partake of the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of the great sacrifice that Jesus Christ willingly made out of love for you and me and all of God’s followers. This reveals that we should be happy and joyous when partaking of this service because of all that the Lord has done and is doing for you and me. Especially because of His promise that He is soon coming back to take us home to be with Him in His Father’s kingdom of heaven where Jesus will again drink of the fruit of the vine in company with all of His redeemed and ransomed followers!

It was only the disciples of Christ whom He allowed to partake of the bread and juice symbolizing His body and blood. All of these disciples had previously been baptized and had already accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord God and Saviour. This then reveals that not just anyone is free to partake of the bread and the juice, but only those who have been baptized and have also accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour and God.

“Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.” 1 Corinthians 11:27-34.

These verses show us that even though this break and juice is a symbol of the body and blood of Jesus, yet since it has been prayed over, blessed and used in this sacred service, then for anyone to eat and drink these items unworthily “eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body” and blood! This clearly reveals that each of us must first be worthy to partake in this service. So then how can any of us become worthy?

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11.

Not a single one of us is worthy in and of ourselves. The only way we can indeed become worthy is if we choose to crucify self fully and then allow God and Christ Jesus to reign supreme in us, and then in and through Them we are indeed worthy by faith. That is the reason why the foot washing service is performed first so that self is fully crucified, and Jesus Christ instead is only seen in us, thus making us worthy to partake of the Lord’s Supper.

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son”. Colossians 1:9-13.

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3.

We must examine ourselves in order to determine and judge whether or not we are indeed hid in Christ Jesus to be worthy in Him to partake of this sacred service so that we may be blessed with the presence and joy of heaven, and not condemned and cursed to suffer sickness and possibly death.


	"LET THERE BE LIGHT" Ministries home \| Sermon Quotes COMMUNION SERVICES -- THE BREAD AND JUICE quotes 1) “Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?...And as they were [finishing] eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.” Matthew 26:17, 26-30. “And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22:17-20. 2) What does the bread symbolize? The bread symbolizes the body of Jesus Christ. It is not the actual body of Jesus Christ, but just a symbol. So by eating this Communion bread symbolizing the body of Jesus, it further symbolizes that Christ, who is the Word and Truth of God, is working in you and thus nourishing your spiritual life. “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalms 34:8. “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16. 3) What does the unfermented grape juice or the fruit of the vine symbolize? The grape juice symbolizes the shed blood of Jesus Christ. It is not that this grape juice is the actual blood of Christ, but just a symbol. So by drinking this grape juice symbolizing the blood of Jesus, it further symbolizes that you have been washed clean from all of your sins, both outwardly and internally. “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:5-9. 4) Why should we partake of the Lord’s supper, and then how often? “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.” 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. These verses show us that we are to partake of the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of the great sacrifice that Jesus Christ willingly made out of love for you and me and all of God’s followers. This reveals that we should be happy and joyous when partaking of this service because of all that the Lord has done and is doing for you and me. Especially because of His promise that He is soon coming back to take us home to be with Him in His Father’s kingdom of heaven where Jesus will again drink of the fruit of the vine in company with all of His redeemed and ransomed followers! These verses also reveal to us that we should partake of the Lord’s Supper “often”, and thus not just once a year. 5) Who can partake of the Lord’s Supper? It was only the disciples of Christ whom He allowed to partake of the bread and juice symbolizing His body and blood. All of these disciples had previously been baptized and had already accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord God and Saviour. This then reveals that not just anyone is free to partake of the bread and the juice, but only those who have been baptized and have also accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour and God. 6) Is there any danger of partaking of this bread and juice that has been used to symbolize the body and blood of our Lord God Jesus Christ? “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.” 1 Corinthians 11:27-34. These verses show us that even though this break and juice is a symbol of the body and blood of Jesus, yet since it has been prayed over, blessed and used in this sacred service, then for anyone to eat and drink these items unworthily “eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body” and blood! This clearly reveals that each of us must first be worthy to partake in this service. So then how can any of us become worthy? “I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” 2 Samuel 22:4. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11. Not a single one of us is worthy in and of ourselves. The only way we can indeed become worthy is if we choose to crucify self fully and then allow God and Christ Jesus to reign supreme in us, and then in and through Them we are indeed worthy by faith. That is the reason why the foot washing service is performed first so that self is fully crucified, and Jesus Christ instead is only seen in us, thus making us worthy to partake of the Lord’s Supper. 7) Once we have become worthy in and through God and Jesus Christ by faith, then how can we retain this worthiness in Them? “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son”. Colossians 1:9-13. “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3. 8) What would make someone unworthy of partaking of the Lord’s Supper at any particular time? -- Not yet being baptized into Christ Jesus would make you unworthy. -- Not yet accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord God and Saviour. If both these things have already been accomplished, then what would make you unworthy? -- Not yet confessing all known sin before this service starts. -- Not yet willingly crucifying all self and selfishness. -- Refusing to wash the feet of the very person you fellowship with who has hurt you in some small or large way. -- If you are hungry and desire to eat and to drink more than just the one piece of bread or the amount of juice you are offered. -- If you are in the wrong frame of mind and spirit in order to appreciate what this sacred service represents. We must examine ourselves in order to determine and judge whether or not we are indeed hid in Christ Jesus to be worthy in Him to partake of this sacred service so that we may be blessed with the presence and joy of heaven, and not condemned and cursed to suffer sickness and possibly death.