26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the[b] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:
“‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’[c]
32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.
Last Supper
Jesus, you took The Passover and changed it. You had the authority to do that because it all pointed to you. You made it significant, but somehow the significance has been lessened in my life. I remember being raised in a Plymouth Brethren church and breaking bread each Sunday. I remember the wine because it had a richer hue than grape juice. I remember the smell of it as it passed around the room. It was thick like blood as it sloshed in the glass. You almost expected a tube to be emptying someone’s veins into it. Emptying your veins. There was one cup and the elders wiped the rim. The bread was a big, old English loaf crusty and broken by an elder’s hands before he passed the two halves around the room. In the silence you could hear the bread ripping as it was torn – it reminded me of the flesh ripped apart on the cross.
I agree with the use of cracker bread, it resembles Passover more. However, the rushed way we whip around the elements reminds me more of crackers and juice for a snack. I barely have time to reflect, yet in the Brethren service the whole service was centered around the communion table. We thought deeply about your death and your resurrection. I was looking forward to going back to England and breaking bread with my church family there.
Questions
- What do the bread and wine represent?
- Why do some believe that the bread and wine literally transform into what they represent?
- How would you describe the mood at this meal?
- How and when do you eat the Lord’s Supper?
- Could a private family administer the Lord’s Supper to its members?
Plymothian 