CHRISTIANS are
commanded to observe the Memorial of Christ’s death. This observance is also
called “the Lord’s evening meal.” (1 Corinthians 11:20) What is so significant about it? When and
how should it be observed?
Jesus Christ instituted this observance on the
night of the Jewish Passover in 33 C.E. The Passover was a celebration held
just once a year, on the 14th day of the Jewish month Nisan. To calculate that
date, the Jews evidently waited for the spring equinox. This is the day when
there are approximately 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. The
first observable new moon nearest to the spring equinox marked the beginning of
Nisan. Passover came 14 days later, after sunset.
Jesus celebrated the Passover with his
apostles, dismissed Judas Iscariot, and then instituted the Lord’s Evening
Meal. This meal replaced the Jewish Passover and therefore should be observed
only once a year.
The Gospel of Matthew reports: “Jesus took a
loaf and, after saying a blessing, he broke it and, giving it to the disciples,
he said: ‘Take, eat. This means my body.’ Also, he took a cup and, having given
thanks, he gave it to them, saying: ‘Drink out of it, all of you; for this
means my “blood of the covenant,” which is to be poured out in behalf of many
for forgiveness of sins.’”—Matthew 26:26-28.
Some believe that Jesus turned the bread into
his literal flesh and the wine into his blood. However, Jesus’ fleshly body was
still intact when he offered this bread. Were Jesus’ apostles really eating his
literal flesh and drinking his blood? No, for that would have been cannibalism
and a violation of God’s law. (Genesis 9:3, 4;
Leviticus 17:10) According to Luke 22:20,
Jesus said: “This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood, which is to
be poured out in your behalf.” Did that cup literally become “the new
covenant”? That would be impossible, since a covenant is an agreement, not a
tangible object.
Hence, both the bread and the wine are only
symbols. The bread symbolizes Christ’s perfect body. Jesus used a loaf of bread
left over from the Passover meal. The loaf was made without any leaven, or
yeast. (Exodus 12:8) The Bible uses leaven as a symbol of sin or
corruption. The bread therefore represents the perfect body that Jesus
sacrificed. It was free of sin.—Matthew 16:11,
12; 1 Corinthians 5:6, 7; 1 Peter 2:22;
1 John 2:1, 2.
The red wine represents Jesus’ blood. That
blood makes valid the new covenant. Jesus said that his blood was poured out
“for forgiveness of sins.” Humans can thus become clean in God’s eyes and can
enter into the new covenant with Jehovah. (Hebrews 9:14;
10:16, 17) This covenant, or contract, makes it possible for
144,000 faithful Christians to go to heaven. There they will serve as kings and
priests for the blessing of all mankind.—Genesis 22:18;
Jeremiah 31:31-33; 1 Peter 2:9;
Revelation 5:9, 10; 14:1-3.
Who should partake of these Memorial emblems?
Logically, only those in the new covenant—that is, those who have the hope of
going to heaven—should partake of the bread and the wine. God’s holy spirit
convinces such ones that they have been selected to be heavenly kings. (Romans 8:16)
They are also in the Kingdom covenant with Jesus.—Luke 22:29.
What about those who have the hope of living
forever in Paradise on earth? They obey Jesus’ command and attend the Lord’s
Evening Meal, but they come as respectful observers, not partakers. Once a year
after sundown on Nisan 14, Jehovah’s Witnesses observe the Lord’s Evening Meal.
Although only a few thousand worldwide profess to have the heavenly hope, this
observance is precious to all Christians. It is an occasion when all can
reflect upon the superlative love of Jehovah God and Jesus Christ.—John 3:16.
For more information please go to www.jw.org
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