PASTOR D

Jesus giving Himself in sacrifice was to bring us back into a right relationship with God by atoning for our sins - eliminating the dispute and restoring peace. Jesus paid the price to ransom us by giving His Body and Blood enabling us to again fellowship with God. . .

Jesus came to earth in a physical body to redeem mankind that had rebelled against God. . . Redemption of physical man had to be performed by a physical man - not a spiritual being. . . There would be nothing to demonstrate to us that we in our physical body could actually follow the example set by Jesus who live a sinless life in total obedience to God in the flesh. . . Hebrews 4:15-16 (NLT) 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 2:16-18 (NLT) 16 We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

Paul emphasizes Jesus' physical Body because we need to know that is was literally the giving - sacrificing - piercing of His Body that atoned for our sins.

This keeps me mindful of the tremendous sacrifice Jesus made for me. It also helps me to realize that there is nothing I could do on my own - or with the help of any other person - that pay the price / ransom - or atone for my sins. However, to realize that I can share in what Jesus did for me through my participation in the Lord's Supper, it gives me a greater appreciation of Christ. . .

The priest eating of the sacrifice was more than just a supply of their provisions (food) - it was a part of the atonement process. . . Our participation in this makes us sharers in the offering of Christ's body on the Cross for our sins. . .

koinonia - sharing something in common with others. We participate or share in the blood of Jesus by being in Him, through our New Birth. Being born in Christ - in a sense, we share in all the things He had done - all the things that have happened or taken place in His body.

Paul was warning them of the danger associated with them trying to please God while at the same time they were participating in things that were contrary to God. He also made it a point to let them know that taking part in pagan sacrifices identified them as members of that group that participated in those sacrifices

Our participation in the Lord's Supper is a demonstration that proclaims the message that Jesus sacrificed His life for the sins of humanity. . . This proclamation is made both to believers and non-believers. . . This proclamation is important because the message proclaims that our sins are atoned for by the broken body and shed blood of Jesus. . . When the Church shifts to a different "Central Theme" - the people miss the message as well as the purpose of the message. . . John 3:16-17 (KJV) 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Romans 8:16 (KJV) 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: Titus 2:11-14 (KJV) 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Christ's death was the act of love that atoned for for our sins - without this event taking occurring there would be no possible way for us to be delivered from sin or the consequence of sin which is eternity in the Lake of Fire - tormented and eternally separated from God. . . Should we neglect remembering this event there is a very strong possibility that we would forsake Christ which in-turn would result in us becoming apostate having no sacrifice for our sins. . . Personally - we would find ourselves drifting away from Christ back into a lifestyle or practice based on the customs, traditions and ways of the world. . .

It was to prepare the Israelites for their deliverance from Egyptian bondage. . . It was to be repeated so that every succeeding generation would know what the people of God had suffered and how God had delivered them from that bondage and blessed them abundantly. . . If the Jews were to stop remembering what the Lord had done for them - in a sense it would be very likely that history would repeat itself. . . Forgetting God and what God had done for them would, and did cause them to forsake Him and worship idol gods - which resulted in them being judged by God and repeating the process of becoming captives and slaves of other nations. . . Psalms 33:12-22 (KJV) 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. 13 The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. 14 From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. 15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works. 16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. 17 An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. 18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; 19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. 22 Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

NO, I feel that the more often we participate in the Lord's Supper the more we realize the value or importance of it. The more we participate in it the more we etch it into our minds and spirits that this is a command and should be strictly complied with. . . Jesus commanded it's repetition so that every generation of believers would be cognizant of what He did for all of humanity. . . God instructed the Israelites the "Passover" for the same reason - they failed to do so and as a result the people were, in a sense, ignorant of what he had done for them when He delivered them form Egyptian bondage. . . Exodus 12:12-17 (NLT) 12 On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn son and firstborn male animal in the land of Egypt. I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the Lord! 13 But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt. 14

Taking it (receiving and eating the body and drinking the blood) because it keeps me mindful of what Jesus did for me - the pain and suffering He endured to allow me to come into His presence and fellowship with Him eternally. ..

1) GIVEN, 2) BROKEN FOR, 3) POURED OUT / SHED, 4) FORGIVENESS / REMISSION. . . The bread representing the Body of Jesus is broken and given as a sacrifice for our sins; the wine representing the Blood of Jesus is poured out / shed for the forgiveness / remission of our sins. . . Hebrews 9:22 (NLT) 22 In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22 (KJV) 22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. John 10:17-18 (NLT) 17

An "EXTREME SYMBOLIC INTERPRETATION" can cause us to have too little respect for The Lord's Supper and its elements by reducing what we are participating in to appear to be nothing more or less than a ritual (a routine or custom) wherein we fail to recognize or respect the presence of the Lord - or the purpose of which we are participating in this Sacrament. . . Although I see it as "SYMBOLIC" - by faith I realize that I am in the very presence of the Lord and can receive those things I am expecting from Him. . .

My understanding is that it is used figuratively / symbolic. . . It helps me in that while participating I am ingesting more and more of Christ into my spirit - taking on more and more of His qualities and having a greater ability to "BE" like Him and "LIVE" like Him. . . I am taking in spiritual nourishment - feeding and nourishing my spirit rather than my physical body. . .