Lesson 48

What do we receive in the Lord’s Supper?

How was the Lord’s Supper instituted? Matthew 26:17-29

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.” They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely not I, Lord?” Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “Yes, it is you.” While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

How was the Lord’s Supper instituted? Matthew 26:17-29 a sacred act instituted by Jesus

How was the Lord’s Supper instituted? Matthew 26:26-29 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.” we eat bread and drink wine

How was the Lord’s Supper instituted? 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: 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.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” we repeat Jesus’ words

Key Point #1 The Lord’s Supper was instituted by Jesus when he told his disciples to eat bread and drink wine while also using the words he spoke.

Agree or Disagree? It would be better to have one big wafer and have the pastor break off pieces to give to the people going to communion rather than having individual wafers to pass out as we do now.

What would be wrong with insisting that Christians use only the chalice (common cup) or only little, individual cups to receive the wine? What’s good about the chalice? What’s good about individual cups?

Which is better: that the pastor faces the altar as he speaks Jesus’ words of institution or that he faces the people? Why do you think that choice is better?

What do we receive with our mouths when we participate in the Lord’s Supper? Matthew 26:26-29 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.” bread and wine

What do we receive with our mouths when we participate in the Lord’s Supper? Matthew 26:26-28 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus’ body and blood

What do we receive with our mouths when we participate in the Lord’s Supper? 1 Corinthians 10:16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? “in, with, and under”

Key Point #2 We receive the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, together with the bread and wine, in a miraculous Holy Communion.

How could the disciples have received Jesus’ body as they ate the first Lord’s Supper? Wasn’t Jesus’ body and blood right in front of them, sitting at the table, not in their mouths? Explain.

Agree or Disagree? When we receive the Lord’s Supper, we receive Christ’s body and blood with our hearts.

What if somebody asked you this question: “When you receive the Lord’s Supper, are you chewing and swallowing into your stomach Christ’s body and blood?” How would you answer?

Project… Phone the pastors of other local churches, and ask them what they think people receive in the Lord’s Supper: just bread and wine; bread and wine together with Jesus’ body and blood; or just Jesus’ body and blood. Track the results on a chart.

How do we know that Jesus’ body and blood are really present in this sacrament? 1 Corinthians 11:23-28

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: 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.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.

How do we know that Jesus’ body and blood are really present in this sacrament? Matthew 26:26-29 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.” The bread and wine aren’t changed into Jesus’ body and blood

How do we know that Jesus’ body and blood are really present in this sacrament? Matthew 26:26-28 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus said so

How do we know that Jesus’ body and blood are really present in this sacrament? Luke 1:37 For nothing is impossible with God.” nothing is impossible with God

Key Point #3 We know that Jesus’ body and blood are really in this sacrament because Jesus clearly states it and nothing is impossible for him to do.

When are Jesus’ body and blood present with the bread and wine? Is it as soon as the pastor speaks Jesus’ words over the bread and wine? Is it when we take the bread and wine into our mouths? Give a reason for your answer.

Why would it be wrong to attend the Lord’s Supper in a congregation that does not confess that Jesus’ body and blood are present together with the bread and wine in the Sacrament?

Should the pastor eat and drink all the bread and wine left over after the rest of the congregation has received the Lord’s Supper? Why or why not?

Why is this wrong? The Lord’s Supper is a repeated sacrifice of Jesus.

Where in Christian Worship do you find a) hymns having to do with Holy Communion? b) the order of service for Holy Communion?

Lesson 48 Holy Communion is a sacred act in which Jesus gives us his true body and blood in, with, and under bread and wine.

Vocabulary… “Communion” Two or more things connected with one another

Vocabulary… “Real Presence” (Lutheran / Bible) Jesus’ body and blood are really present along with the bread and wine.

Vocabulary… “Representation” (Reformed / Baptist) The bread and wine only symbolizes Jesus’ body and blood.

Vocabulary… “Transubstantiation” (Roman Catholic) The bread and wine changes into Jesus body and blood.