"A new commandment I give to you,
that you love one another; as I have loved you,
that you also love one another."
John 13:34
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Dear Saints,
This is Part 2 of a study on Holy Communion.
If you haven’t read Part 1, please scroll down before continuing.
Recap of Part 1:
The Passover: Rules and Observances
Prior to God delivering His people out of slavery from Egypt, the LORD sent the final plague on Pharaoh and the wickedness of the Egyptians. The following list is a partial summary of the LORD’s instructions to Moses and His children as they made preparation to leave Egypt and have their last meal under the captivity of a sinful nation.
Exodus Chapter 12
Psalm 105:36-45
“He also destroyed all the firstborn in their land,
The first of all their strength.
He also brought them out with silver and gold,
And there was none feeble among His tribes.
Egypt was glad when they departed,
For the fear of them had fallen upon them.
He spread a cloud for a covering,
And fire to give light in the night.
The people asked, and He brought quail,
And satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
He opened the rock, and water gushed out;
It ran in the dry places like a river.
For He remembered His holy promise,
And Abraham His servant.
He brought out His people with joy,
His chosen ones with gladness.
He gave them the lands of the Gentiles,
And they inherited the labor of the nations,
That they might observe His statutes
And keep His laws.
Praise the Lord!”
Christ Our Passover
The Apostle Paul brought stern correction to the Corinthian Church for several things. One of those corrections was about their shameful behavior in how they were taking Communion. Divisions and factions among the brethren in this church were in total disagreement of Jesus command to “love one another as I have loved you.” Some were coming in hungry, taking their supper ahead of others and some were actually drunk. Sounds like a tavern! What a bold display of the selfish carnal nature.
Read 1 Corinthians 11:17-22
“Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” 1 Corinthians 5:7-8
The Lord Celebrates Passover
“Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, ‘Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?’ And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, ‘Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him.
“Wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” Then he will show you a large upper room, furnished and prepared; there make ready for us.’
“So His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover.” Mark 14:12-16
After the Resurrection: Communion
“For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.’ In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant between God and his people--an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it. For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.’” 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 NLT
Some translations of the Bible quote that Jesus said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you …”
This is not correct, for not one bone of Jesus’ body was broken. We know that all scriptures must agree, so let’s take a comparison look at what the three gospel accounts say and also the original Passover regulations which God instituted.
Breaking the Bread
Matthew 26:26-27
“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’ Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.’”
Mark 14:22-23
“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’ “Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And He said to them, ‘This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many.’”
Luke 22:19-20
“And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.’”
Exodus 12:46
“In one house it shall be eaten; you shall not carry any of the flesh outside the house, nor shall you break one of its bones.”
John 19:31-33
“Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.”
I find it interesting that in the Gospel of John the Holy Spirit did not give us an account of Jesus blessing the bread and the wine as see in Matthew, Mark and Luke. John’s gospel does, however, give us a visual example of agape love as Jesus washed each of His disciple’s feet in the upper room, including the feet of His betrayer, Judas.
The Betrayal
“One of you will betray Me.”
Here, in John Chapter 13, the Holy Spirit reveals the depth of Jesus’ grief.
“He was troubled in spirit.”
Later, during the Passover Meal, Jesus shared a piece of bread with His betrayer. Satan entered into His disciple. “What you do, do it quickly.”
These are heart wrenching words from the One who was about to go to the cross and give His life so that the world might be saved, Jesus “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 13:8
Without the spiritual side of Communion there are no benefits, just like the Passover Meal was worthless to Judas. Why was it worthless to Judas?
Something else had predominance in his heart: 30 pieces of silver.
Matthew 26:15
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Closing Comments
True Communion of the heart brings God’s child into total surrender and grateful remembrance of what Jesus’ sacrifice accomplished.
Without the shedding of Blood there is no remission of sin. Hebrews 9:22
The life is in the Blood… eternal life, yes, and also healing, deliverance, liberty and fellowship with God right now!
Throughout eternity, The Glorious Church will harmonize in a symphony of unity to praise and worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
“Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” Revelation 5:11-12
____________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYING FOR OUR STATES AND OUR NATIONS
The Church of Jesus Christ
The Lost and Elected Officials
Copyright © 2013 – 2014 Prayer with Purpose; prayerwithpurpose.org
This is Part 2 of a study on Holy Communion.
If you haven’t read Part 1, please scroll down before continuing.
Recap of Part 1:
- Communion reminds us of our roots, the gospel, which is the power of God.
- The Holy Spirit must be involved in revealing the spiritual side of Communion.
- Communion is a supernatural transaction only for those who are in covenant with the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Communion is a personal embrace of celebrating the cross, and receiving covenant benefits listed in Isaiah 53:4-5.
- Communion affects the whole man: spirit, soul and body.
- The inward man of the heart must be involved in Communion or it is merely a tradition of man and void of Christ’s benefits.
- Communion can be celebrated in your private time with the Lord.
- Power Key for the Walk of Faith: Read the Who I Am Scriptures and then take Communion in faith.
- As we assemble as one body to celebrate Communion with the family of God, we remember we are forgiven of our sins and healed by Jesus’ sacrifice. This unites each member of His body in a grand manifestation of perfected holiness. John Chapter 17.
The Passover: Rules and Observances
Prior to God delivering His people out of slavery from Egypt, the LORD sent the final plague on Pharaoh and the wickedness of the Egyptians. The following list is a partial summary of the LORD’s instructions to Moses and His children as they made preparation to leave Egypt and have their last meal under the captivity of a sinful nation.
Exodus Chapter 12
- Every household shall take for themselves a lamb.
- The lamb shall be without blemish and perfect.
- It shall be killed at twilight.
- Take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and lintel of the houses where they eat it.
- They shall eat the flesh …roasted in fire.
- You shall eat it in haste. (ready to go)
- It is the LORD’s Passover.
- I will pass through the land …strike the firstborn, both man and beast, and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.
- Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. (Saints, are you not the house, the temple of the Holy Spirit?)
- When I see the blood, I will pass over you; the plague shall not be on you to destroy you.
- So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD throughout your generations.
Psalm 105:36-45
“He also destroyed all the firstborn in their land,
The first of all their strength.
He also brought them out with silver and gold,
And there was none feeble among His tribes.
Egypt was glad when they departed,
For the fear of them had fallen upon them.
He spread a cloud for a covering,
And fire to give light in the night.
The people asked, and He brought quail,
And satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
He opened the rock, and water gushed out;
It ran in the dry places like a river.
For He remembered His holy promise,
And Abraham His servant.
He brought out His people with joy,
His chosen ones with gladness.
He gave them the lands of the Gentiles,
And they inherited the labor of the nations,
That they might observe His statutes
And keep His laws.
Praise the Lord!”
Christ Our Passover
The Apostle Paul brought stern correction to the Corinthian Church for several things. One of those corrections was about their shameful behavior in how they were taking Communion. Divisions and factions among the brethren in this church were in total disagreement of Jesus command to “love one another as I have loved you.” Some were coming in hungry, taking their supper ahead of others and some were actually drunk. Sounds like a tavern! What a bold display of the selfish carnal nature.
Read 1 Corinthians 11:17-22
“Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” 1 Corinthians 5:7-8
The Lord Celebrates Passover
“Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, ‘Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?’ And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, ‘Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him.
“Wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” Then he will show you a large upper room, furnished and prepared; there make ready for us.’
“So His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover.” Mark 14:12-16
After the Resurrection: Communion
“For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.’ In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant between God and his people--an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it. For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.’” 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 NLT
Some translations of the Bible quote that Jesus said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you …”
This is not correct, for not one bone of Jesus’ body was broken. We know that all scriptures must agree, so let’s take a comparison look at what the three gospel accounts say and also the original Passover regulations which God instituted.
Breaking the Bread
Matthew 26:26-27
“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’ Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.’”
Mark 14:22-23
“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’ “Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And He said to them, ‘This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many.’”
Luke 22:19-20
“And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.’”
Exodus 12:46
“In one house it shall be eaten; you shall not carry any of the flesh outside the house, nor shall you break one of its bones.”
John 19:31-33
“Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.”
I find it interesting that in the Gospel of John the Holy Spirit did not give us an account of Jesus blessing the bread and the wine as see in Matthew, Mark and Luke. John’s gospel does, however, give us a visual example of agape love as Jesus washed each of His disciple’s feet in the upper room, including the feet of His betrayer, Judas.
The Betrayal
“One of you will betray Me.”
Here, in John Chapter 13, the Holy Spirit reveals the depth of Jesus’ grief.
“He was troubled in spirit.”
Later, during the Passover Meal, Jesus shared a piece of bread with His betrayer. Satan entered into His disciple. “What you do, do it quickly.”
These are heart wrenching words from the One who was about to go to the cross and give His life so that the world might be saved, Jesus “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 13:8
Without the spiritual side of Communion there are no benefits, just like the Passover Meal was worthless to Judas. Why was it worthless to Judas?
Something else had predominance in his heart: 30 pieces of silver.
Matthew 26:15
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Closing Comments
True Communion of the heart brings God’s child into total surrender and grateful remembrance of what Jesus’ sacrifice accomplished.
Without the shedding of Blood there is no remission of sin. Hebrews 9:22
The life is in the Blood… eternal life, yes, and also healing, deliverance, liberty and fellowship with God right now!
Throughout eternity, The Glorious Church will harmonize in a symphony of unity to praise and worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
“Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” Revelation 5:11-12
____________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYING FOR OUR STATES AND OUR NATIONS
The Church of Jesus Christ
The Lost and Elected Officials
Copyright © 2013 – 2014 Prayer with Purpose; prayerwithpurpose.org