Why We Observe the Lord's Evening Meal

WHAT THE EMBLEMS MEAN

When instituting the Memorial, Jesus did not miraculously change the bread and the wine into his literal flesh and blood. Instead, he said of the bread:  "This means my body."  Regarding the wine, he stated:  "This means my 'blood of the covenant,' which is to be poured out in behalf of many," (Mark 14:22-24)  Clearly, then, the bread and the wine were to be viewed as symbols, or emblems.  

On that  highly important occasion in 33 C.E., Jesus used unleavened bread left over from the Passover meal. ( Exodus  12:8) In the Scriptures, leaven at times  denotes corruption or sin.  (Matthew 16:6, 11, 12; Luke 12:1) Thus, Jesus' use of unleavened bread  was significant because it fittingly represented his sinless boy.  (Hebrews 7:26) So bread of that kind is used at the Memorial.

The wine that Jesus used on Nisan 14 C.E., represented Jesus' blood, as does the Memorial cup of wine today. At Golgatha,  a place outside Jerusalem, his blood was poured out "for forgiveness of sins." (Matthew 26:28; 27:33) Because the Memorial bread and wine symbolize Jesus' priceless sacrifice offered in behalf of obedient mankind and we appreciate that loving provision, it is appropriate that we personally prepare for the annual observance of the Lord's Evening Meal.

Next time:  Why We Observe the Lord's Evening Meal - 
SOME WAYS TO PREPARE

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015