There are different scriptural passages that represent “The Last Supper…”
Mark 14:22-25
Luke 22:18-20
1 Corinthians 11:23-25
Matthew 26:26-29
Depending upon church, worship settings, and personal preferences, any of these scriptures can be employed, taking part in “Communion.”
A lot of the time, I refer to Matthew 26:26-28…
“While they were eating, (Yahshua) 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.’ Then He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave 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.’”
(The New International Version; New Living Translation; King James; Aramaic Bible in Plain English)
Recently, I noticed something about this passage in Matthew, while taking Communion, specifically, verse 28…
“…This is My Blood of The Covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’”
What got my attention?
“Poured out for Many.”
Huh?
Did you catch it?
“Many.”
How can that be, because, after all, John 3:16…
“For (The Most High) so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16
Well, yes, again, The Point of Our Savior is to save all the world, all of humanity, dying for all of our sins.
Where does “For Many” come from then?
We have choice.
“But if serving (Elohim) the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve (Elohim) the LORD.”
Joshua 24:15
We choose.
Our choice concerning this proposition determines where we will fall in the “For Many” category.
This, then, introduces another aspect of “Communion.”
“If We Examine Ourselves…”
It’s found in 1 Corinthians 11:26-32…
“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim The Master’s death until He comes.”
Verse 26
“So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of The Master in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the Body and Blood of The Master”
Verse 27
“Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.”
Verse 28
“For those who eat and drink without discerning the Body of The Master eat and drink judgment on themselves.”
Verse 29
“That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.”
Verse 30
“But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.”
Verse 31
“Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by (Elohim) the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.”
Verse 32
Examine Yourself…
I have many memories, especially during my adolescence, of my denominational church emphasizing the “examine yourself” part of 1 Corinthians 11:26-32.
During the service, as this scripture was repeated, before The Institution of the Communion Elements, there was probably about thirty seconds of observed silenced, implemented for self-reflection.
Now, I have no idea just what kind of thorough self-reflection can be achieved in under one minute.
Most of the time, anyway, it was not silent. Someone usually coughed or sneezed.
Usually, a baby cries in the Sanctuary.
