Bible Study Seattle

Communion is a staple in Christian services. It’s really just a repackaged Seder dinner of the Passover. And a very reduced dinner at that – only wine and unleavened (sometimes!) bread. What about communion during Christ’s 1,000 year reign?

“They went, found things as Jesus had told them, and they prepared the Passover.  When the hour had come, he sat down with the twelve apostles.  He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for I tell you, I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in God’s Kingdom.”  He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, “Take this, and share it among yourselves, for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until God’s Kingdom comes.”

He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.”  Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” Luke 22:13-20

In a sense, Jesus drank again after he rose from the dead:

“As they said these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be to you.” But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. He said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts?  See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.”  When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.  While they still didn’t believe for joy, and wondered, he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb.  He took them, and ate in front of them.” Luke 24:36-42

“That night, they caught nothing.  But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach, yet the disciples didn’t know that it was Jesus.  Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish.  That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!”

So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself (for he was naked), and threw himself into the sea.  But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away), dragging the net full of fish.  So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, with fish and bread laid on it.  Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”

Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of one hundred fifty-three great fish. Even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast!” None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord. Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise.  This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples after he had risen from the dead.  So when they had eaten their breakfast…” John 21:3-13

What’s the meaning of this:

“For first of all, when you come together in the assembly, I hear that divisions exist among you, and I partly believe it.  For there also must be factions among you, that those who are approved may be revealed among you.  When therefore you assemble yourselves together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat.  For in your eating each one takes his own supper first. One is hungry, and another is drunken.  What, don’t you have houses to eat and to drink in? Or do you despise God’s assembly and put them to shame who don’t have enough? What shall I tell you? Shall I praise you? In this I don’t praise you.

For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread.  When he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.”  In the same way he also took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.”  For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.  Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the Lord’s cup in a way unworthy of the Lord will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup.  For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy way eats and drinks judgment to himself if he doesn’t discern the Lord’s body.  For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep.  For if we discerned ourselves, we wouldn’t be judged.  But when we are judged, we are punished by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.  Therefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.  But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest your coming together be for judgment. The rest I will set in order whenever I come.” 1 Corinthians 11:18-33

Is this foreshadowing Passover in the Kingdom? Will those unworthy be refused to eat of the trees of life?

“But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment. Whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ will be in danger of the council. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.” Matthew 5:22

“If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you,  leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.  Agree with your adversary quickly while you are with him on the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison.  Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there until you have paid the last penny.” Matthew 5:23-26

Notice how the unrepentant are refused entry into Jerusalem in the Kingdom:

“Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.  Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” Revelation 22:14-15