Reasons for the sacrament

Excerpts from Diana Webb thoughts on Come Follow Me Lesson

 Paul gives detailed insights into the purpose of the ceremony, as recorded in 1 Corinthians 11.

Firstly, the sacrament is a MEMORIAL.  “The Lord Jesus . . . took bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, “This cup is the new testament (Greek diathaykay, which means covenant) in my blood: this do ye, as aft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.” (verses 23-25)

As we partake of the broken bread, we are to remember the broken body of Christ. Through His resurrection physical death was overcome. As we partake of the water/wine, we are to remember the blood that was shed on our behalf in Gethsemane and on Calvary that we might overcome spiritual death.

Secondly, the sacrament is a TESTIMONIAL. In partaking the sacrament, we bear testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and our belief in it. Verse 26 reads, “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” The Greek word translated as shew means “proclaim or announce.” In other words, when we take the emblems of the sacrament, we are bearing our testimony of Him.

Thirdly, the sacrament is a time for SELF EXAMINATION. “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” (verses 28 and 31) If we examine ourselves weekly, we won’t have to be judged at the judgment. Before taking these symbols, we are obligated to consider whether our lives are in harmony with God’s will.

The fourth point, COMMUNION, is taken from 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.” The sacrament creates a wonderful fellowship between all the members of the ward or church- a special fellowship of partnership.  In Paul’s letters, one has fellowship with the Church and with heaven if one’s life is in order.  The sacrament is a good opportunity to forgive someone you need to forgive. The Greek word is koinonia which means common sharing, fellowship, and unity.

And finally, the sacrament is a RENEWAL of the COVENANT of baptism. Referring back to verse 25 of chapter 11, shown above, when we partake of the emblems of the sacrament, we are making the same promises that we made at the time we were baptized. That is, we promise to take His name upon us, obey His commandments, and always remember Him.  (Actually, we promise to be “willing” to do these things in the prayer on the bread. In the second prayer, the word “willing” is absent. We promise to remember Him, not just be willing to remember Him.  This is something even the weakest among us can do.)