Why We Observe the Lord's Evening Meal

WHO SHOULD PARTAKE? 

Those who rightly partake of the Memorial emblems are absolutely sure that they are parties to the new covenant. Regarding the wine, Jesus said:  "This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood." (1 Corinthians 11:25)  Through the prophet Jeremiah, God foretold that He would make a new covenant that differed from the Law covenant with the spiritual Israelites.  (Galatians 6:15, 16) This covenant has been validated by Christ's sacrifice and has been made operative by his shed blood.  (Luke 22:20) Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant,  and loyal anointed ones taken into it receive a heavenly inheritance. -Hebrews 8:6; 9:15.  

Individuals entitled to partake of the Memorial emblems know that they have been taken into the Kingdom covenant.  (Read Luke 12:32) Those who became Jesus' anointed followers and loyally stuck  with Jesus, sharing in his sufferings, were to share his heavenly rule.  (Philippians  3:10) Because they are in the Kingdom covenant, faithful anointed ones will reign with Christ as heavenly kings forever.  (Revelation 22:5) Such individuals rightly partake of the emblems during the Lord's Evening Meal. 

Only those who have the witness of the spirit that they are God's children should partake of the Memorial emblems.  (Read Romans 8:15-17)  Note that Paul used the Aramaic word "Abba," which means "O Father!" A child might use this word when addressing his father, for it is a term of endearment that combines the intimacy of "papa" with the respectful word "father."  those who have received "a spirit of adoption as sons" are God's spirit-begotten children. 

His spirit bears  witness with their spirit, giving them  the realization that htey are Jehovah's anointed sons.  It is not simply a matter of their losing interests in living on earth.  They are certain that they will be Jesus' joint heirs in the heavenly Kingdom if they are faithful to death.  Today, there is only a remnant of the 144,000 footstep followers of Christ, who "have an anointing  from the holy one," Jehovah. (1 John 2:20; Revelation 14:1) It is by means of his spirit that they cry out, "Abba, Father!"  What a blessed relationship they have with God!

Next time: Why We Observe the Lord's Evening Meal - RESPONDING TO YOUR SCRIPTURAL HOPE 

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015