Holy Supper Evangelical What is it? How is it taken? And more

The last night that the Lord was among the disciples he made a dinner that would represent the New Covenant with the Church. Learn why the evangelical holy supper is one of the most important celebrations for Christians, and how they prepare to do it.

Evangelical Holy Supper Ceremony

For us Christians the evangelical holy supper ceremony it has great meaning. This solemn meal represents our participation in the precept that the Lord has entrusted to us (1 Corinthians 11:24-25; 28). The first thing we should do is commemorate his sacrifice on Calvary's cross. With this action, we disclose, we preach the sufferings, martyrdoms, sufferings that Christ suffered during his capture and crucifixion (1 Corinthians 11: 24-26).

Likewise, when we participate in the evangelical holy supper we preach the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 11:26). In the last Easter celebration where our Lord was, he announced to us the New Covenant between God and the Church. So we should celebrate it respectfully and with reverence.

Lastly, during this commemoration we are participating, as one body, in an act of communion with our Lord. This is only possible through the Blood of the Lamb of God (1 Corinthians 10:16-17). The ceremony of the evangelical holy supper that the Lord performed is described in the Word of God as follows:

1 Corinthians 11:24-26

²⁴ and having given thanks, he broke it, and said: Take, eat; this is my body that is broken for you; Do this in remembrance of me.

²⁵ Likewise he also took the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this every time you drink it, in memory of me.

²⁶ Therefore, as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you announce the death of the Lord until he comes.

The Passover Feast

Before the people of Israel began their exodus into the desert, God commanded them to sacrifice the Passover (Exodus 12:21-27). According to the Scriptures, that night the Lord would smite the firstborn of Egypt with the sword.

The vengeful angel of death would pass over the houses that would have on their lintels the blood of the lamb that they sacrificed for that dinner. That would be the sign that that family was under God's covenant.

This is exactly what the word Passover (pasach) means "to pass over, save, spread wings, protection." God, when he sent judgment to the land of Egypt, protected, passed over his people.

After the liberation of the people of Israel, the Lord established the Passover Feast as a solemn commemoration. This was to remember that the Lord brought them out, freed them from the slavery that they lived in the land of Egypt (Deuteronomy 16:1-8; Number 9:1-14). During their slavery the bitterness and suffering of the Israeli people was very hard.

Likewise, the Israelis had to commemorate the sacrifice of the lamb that shed its blood to place it on the lintels of each of the doors of the houses of the people of God. This blood prevented the angel of death from killing the firstborn of the Israelis. That is, the lamb replaced the firstborn son of each home.

• Let us observe that the Feast of Passover would have the purpose of protecting the children of the people of Israel, who were under the Covenant of God.
• It was a Feast to commemorate what God had done for his people. Free them from slavery in Egypt.
• A blood sacrifice had to be made.

As we know, Jesus is a descendant of the People of Israel, specifically of the Tribe of Judah. According to the Scriptures, the Lord did not come to abolish the law, but to strictly fulfill it.

One night before our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, he gathered with the twelve Apostles to celebrate the Feast of Easter. That day he institutes the celebration of the evangelical holy supper (Luke 22: 19-20). Commemorating this dinner means a lot to Christians, as we remember the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made out of love. Not because we deserve it, but by grace to redeem us from sin.

In the Bible we find evidence that the Lord Jesus Christ celebrated the Passover Feast (Luke 2:40.42; John 2:13-23; 6:4; 13:1-5) Of course, he also participated in the last evangelical holy supper of his life. If you want to learn more about Jesus and his prophecy, we recommend you enter to study the Isaiah

Matthew 5: 17

¹⁷ “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abrogate, but to fulfill.

Now, the events of the Old Testament are symbols of the things that would happen since the arrival of the Messiah on Earth.

Hebrews 10: 1

¹ Because the law, having the shadow of the good things to come, not the very image of things, can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered each year, make perfect those who approach.

Let's clarify some concepts. It is called the evangelical Holy Supper firstly because it is a commemoration established by God; and He is Holy. We call it evangelical because we announce his death, the New Covenant, his resurrection and his second coming.

God's covenants

The word covenant means a treaty, an agreement between a king, sovereign or emperor and his subjects. To exemplify this definition, we can refer that during the ancient world, the most powerful nations subjugated other weaker ones. The victorious kings or emperors made pacts with the kings who were subjected. These pacts described those benefits that the emperor or sovereign obtained, as well as those behaviors that the victor expected from his vassals.

The Old Covenant is between God and Abram. The Lord asks him to leave everything, read his family (except his wife), his beliefs, his culture, his nation. As a reward the Lord would give him innumerable offspring.

Genesis 2: 1-3

Then the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country, from your relatives, and from your father's house, to the land that I will show you. ² I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great, and you will be a blessing. ³ I will bless those who bless you, and those who curse you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.

God announced to Abraham that his people would be enslaved for four hundred years, but that He would free them from that slavery. Let us remember that the people of Israel, despite the fact that they had God's protection, Pharaoh's heart would harden, so as much would subject the Israeli people to slavery.

The Word of God warns us that the Lord will not do anything that is not revealed through his prophets. In this sense, he announced to Abraham that he would deliver them. After the people of Israel were subjected to the Egyptians for four hundred years, the Lord frees the people from him, remembering his covenant with Abraham.

Genesis 15: 13-14

¹³ Then the LORD said to Abram, Know for certain that your descendants will dwell in a foreign land, and will be slaves there, and will be oppressed four hundred years.

¹⁴ But also the nation which they will serve, I will judge; and after this they will come out with great wealth.

Amos 3: 7

⁷ For the Lord God will do nothing, without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.

Exodus 2: 23-24

²³ It came to pass after many days that the king of Egypt died, and the children of Israel groaned because of the slavery, and cried out; and their cry went up to God because of their servitude.

²⁴ And God heard their groaning, and remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The covenant during the Exodus

God hears the groaning of Israel. Before the pain of God's chosen people, the Lord humiliates Pharaoh through the plagues he sent to Egypt. He used Moses as his servant.

After liberation, the Lord establishes a pact with Moses so that Israel will serve him as a people and He will be God (Exodus 6:2-7)

Today, the Jews celebrate the Feast of Passover, just as the Lord established it in the Old Covenant. For them it is a cause for celebration to commemorate the love that God showed them. However, when the Messiah came they did not recognize him.

Out of love for humanity, the Lord offers us a New Covenant. He gave us a lamb for thanksgiving forever. Likewise, through the sacrifice of that lamb we are saved to those who recognized and accepted it in our lives.

In summary, the covenants that God has made with us have signs that represent the promises of the covenant itself:

• The Adamic Covenant was between God and Adam. The first man named Adam would have eternal life based on obedience to God (Gen 1:28-30; 2:15). The sign of this covenant was the Tree of Life (Gen 2:9).
• The Noemic Covenant was between God and Noah. God's promise was not to destroy the earth again by a flood (Gen 9:11). The sign of this covenant was the rainbow (Gen 9:13).
• The Mosaic Covenant was between God and the Israelites. In this one, they were told that they would be a “kingdom of priests and holy people” (Exo 19:6). The sign of this covenant was the stone tablets, and the law, and the written commandments (Ex 24:12).

For the effect of blood pacts (in the blood is where life is), the pact that God made with Moses had to be replaced.

New agreement

As we have stated before, the events and covenants of the Old Testament would be symbols of what was to come. In this sense, the Feast of Easter, which today is the Gospel Holy Supper, is a symbol of what would happen with the Messiah. Next, we will decipher what each of the elements that were present in the evangelical Holy Supper led by Jesus means.

In order to decipher each symbol of the Evangelical Holy Supper, we are going to review the elements that compose it.

According to the Word of God, the Passover Feast must be celebrated on the 14th day of the month of Abib or Nisan (Exodus 13:4; 34:18). We can make an approximation to the month of April, since the Hebrew calendar has differences with the Gregorian calendar. This day is characterized by having a full moon. For this reason, the moon is eschatologically associated with Israel.

Jesus celebrates the last evangelical holy supper on Abib 14. A perfect man had to die, without sin and without blemish. For Adam when he entered the Earth he had these qualities. Therefore, sin had to leave the Earth by a perfect man.

Contrast between the Old and New Covenants

• The old pact was a letter that leads to death; the ministry of the spirit quickens.
• The old covenant was the ministry of death; the ministry of the spirit gives eternal life.
• The old covenant was one of damnation; the new covenant is of justification.
• The old covenant perished; the new covenant stands.
• The new covenant is that Jesus our sins in his body on the cross.
• He presented himself by the sacrifice of himself to the Holy of Holies to take away the sin of the world.
• The new covenant was instituted on the atoning Blood of Jesus.
• Through the Blood of Christ we obtain redemption and forgiveness of sins.
• God warns us if we disobey and despise the Blood of Christ.

Symbols of the Evangelical Holy Supper

To prepare the evangelical holy supper, on the 10th day of the month of Abib or Nisán, each family group had to separate a lamb, the firstborn of the herd. This lamb or kid could not have any fault. Depending on the number of people that made up the family, they could get together to share the lamb.

When we contrast this fact with Jesus, we realize that the Lord was held, separated, while he was detained to later be crucified.

Éxodo 12: 6

⁶ And you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, and the whole congregation of the people of Israel shall immolate it between the two afternoons.

This little animal had to sacrifice itself. When he began to shed his blood, he allowed himself to be poured into a container to smear the posts and lintels of each door of the houses (It was only done the first time). According to the Bible, it had to be sacrificed between the two afternoons. Right at the time our Lord died.

After immolating the lamb or kid, it had to be roasted. Then the members of the family would eat their meat, without breaking their bones, with bitter herbs, accompanied by unleavened bread.

This commemoration had to be led by the father of the family. During the Passover Feast the father was to ask the children what the Passover represented. The father had to explain its meaning.

If any remains of the Passover lamb remained, it was all to be burned that same night (Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12).

In the event that some unforeseen event arose and the Passover Feast could not be celebrated, they were allowed to do so the following month. However, if it was voluntarily that the evangelical Holy Supper was not commemorated, the penalty was the death of the offender (Number 9:6-14)

Women could participate; however they were not required to do so (1 Samuel 1:3; 7; Luke 2:41)

Commemoration

The way to commemorate the evangelical holy supper at the time of the Lord Jesus Christ was as follows.

• Everyone gathered in the place, the father of the family or the leader gave thanks, all those present took the first glass of wine mixed with water.
• They then went to wash their hands.
• The Passover lamb, bitter herbs, unleavened bread, as well as a bowl containing a Haroset sauce, which was prepared with a mortar, were placed on the table.
• Those present soaked some of the bitter herbs in the sauce and ate it.
• Dishes were cleared from the table. Then the meaning of the Passover Feast was explained.
• According to the Jewish books the following words were to be said:

“This is the passover that we eat, because the Lord passed over from the houses of our fathers in Egypt”

“This is the passover that we eat, because the Lord passed over from the houses of our fathers in Egypt”

• Raising the bitter herbs, the leader was to say:

“These are the bitter herbs that we eat in memory of the Egyptians making life bitter for our fathers in Egypt.

• Then he ate the unleavened bread. At that time they were to recite Psalms 113 and 114.
• They raised a prayer.
• Finally, they had the second glass of wine.
• After commemorating these events, the leader had to take unleavened bread, break it and give thanks.
• Next, those present ate the Passover lamb. He couldn't break his bones.
• To conclude the Gospel Holy Supper, those present took a piece of bread. They soaked that piece in the bitter herbs and proceeded to eat it.
• They had a third cup of wine, the cup of blessing.
• They closed the commemorative act of the Gospel Holy Supper by reciting Psalms 115,116, 117, 118 and having a fourth glass of wine.

Meaning of the elements of the Evangelical Holy Supper

As we have previously clarified, this ceremony would have a meaning that was revealed by our Lord Jesus Christ at the moment he dined for the last time. By reviewing the Holy Scriptures, the Lord gives a meaning to the bread, the wine and the cup. Let's review, according to the Bible, what each of these symbols mean.

Bread

In the evangelical sacrament the bread is presented. This food represents the body of Jesus. In the Old Covenant, the Passover Lamb was a substitutionary sacrifice. In every Jewish house in Egypt the Passover lamb was to die in the place of the firstborn. In the same way, Christ is our Passover was sacrificed for us.

The bread represents his body. When we eat the bread we grind and crush it in our mouths, just as the body of Christ was ground.

Christ made reference in the last supper of how his body was going to be destroyed and then be crucified. Just as the bread was broken, crushed by the Apostles as they ate it, so would the body of the Lord.

The Lord Jesus suffered lashes that tore his body, his skin was torn from the bones by the weapons of the Romans. That is why when you commemorate Easter and break the bread, remember the sacrifice and the humiliations that Christ suffered for us and for our salvation.

Luke: 22:19

¹⁹ And he took bread and gave thanks, and broke it and gave it to them, saying, This is my body, which is given for you; Do this in remembrance of me.

 The wine

The wine represents the blood of the Lamb of God that would be shed for the remission of sins. We must keep in mind that the Lord in his Word says that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. You may be wondering why blood had to be shed.

The Word of God says in Leviticus 17:11 that the blood is in life and that sin is paid for with death. Therefore, just as sin entered through Adam a perfect man, so sin had to leave through a perfect man, Jesus.

In this sense, during the commemoration of the Gospel Holy Supper, the Lord invites us, after cutting the bread, to drink wine commemorating the new pact that was sealed through his blood.

The blood that Christ shed in his sacrifice for us consolidated, sealed and signed the New Covenant that was created with God the Father. In the Old Testament we made a pact with the Lord through blood sacrifices of lambs, bulls, among other animals.

In the New Testament Christ gave his life and shed his blood in such a way that no more animal sacrifices are needed because he was the perfect, pure and spotless lamb who sacrificed himself for our eternal life. Through his blood he bought us who choose to follow his way. In other words, he paid the ransom for us.

The cup

The cup containing the wine represents the New Covenant in the Blood of Christ. By taking the cup we make memorial of the death of the Lord that he made to redeem us from sin.

The Holy Supper is recorded and described in the Bible as follows:

Matthew 26: 27-28

²⁷ And taking the cup, and having given thanks, he gave it to them, saying: Drink of it all;

²⁸ for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Luke: 22-20

²⁰ In the same way, after he had supped, he took the cup, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you.

The Passover Lamb was subjected to a process to be immolated, which symbolized Christ. To celebrate the Feast of Passover in every Israeli household and family while still in Egypt, they had to take a firstborn lamb, without blemish, that was to die in the place of the firstborn of that family. In the same way, Christ our Passover was sacrificed for us.

Therefore, this lamb symbolizes Jesus Christ, since he shed his blood for us.

Pedro 1 1: 19

¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot

Institution of the Lord's Evangelical Holy Supper

The evangelical holy supper was instituted by the Lord the night before he was crucified. That same night he was betrayed by Judas Iscariot. After Jesus gathered his Apostles, he issued a mandate, which was to commemorate his death (Luke 22: 15-16). After the bread was broken and the wine was drunk from the cup, this ceremony that we Christians celebrate is constituted.

Meaning of the evangelical holy supper of the Lord

The Lord's Gospel Supper encompasses various meanings that are important to Christians.

Memory of the body of Jesus

The Lord describes each one of the meanings of the symbols of the evangelical sacrament. The first is the bread, which reminds us of the torture, the suffering that Jesus suffered before being crucified. Then the sufferings that he suffered hanging on the cross.

1 Corinthians 11: 23-26

²³ Because I received from the Lord the teaching that I have also transmitted to you: that the Lord Jesus, the night he was betrayed, took bread; ²⁴ and having given thanks, he broke it and said: “Take, eat. This is my body that is broken for you. Do this in memory of me."

²⁵ Likewise, he also took the cup after supper, and said: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this every time you drink it in memory of me.” ²⁶ Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you announce the death of the Lord, until he comes.

church unity

In the Word of God the Lord declares to us that we are one body. So, by commemorating the Lord's Supper we form a unity in Christ Jesus. Just as bread is formed from a mixture of multiple grains of wheat impossible to separate, so must be the church of Christ. There can be no cliques that exclude new believers.

1 Corinthians 10: 16-17

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? Being only one bread, we, being many, are one body; because we all partake of the same bread

holy life

Only those who live a holy life are the ones who can partake of the Lord's Supper. The Word of God warns us that those who unworthily partake of the Lord's supper will bring judgment upon the blood and body of the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:27-34).

Preparations for the Passover Feast of Jesus

In the Gospel of Mark we can find some details that take us back to the previous moments of the last celebration of the Lord's Passover.

Context prior to the evangelical Holy Supper of the Lord

This moment stands out for the announcement of the Lord Jesus Christ about his upcoming death and betrayal by one of his disciples. As we have mentioned before, the Passover Feast was an annual celebration, where the Jewish people commemorated their liberation from slavery in Egypt.

During this time, solidarity and communion among the people were promoted. Well, they should eat as a family. For this, families sometimes gathered to eat the lamb.

As previously mentioned, the Passover Feast was held together with the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The first lasted only one day, while the second festival lasted seven days. On the Passover Feast the Passover lamb was sacrificed (Leviticus 23:5-6).

For this reason we can find how in the gospels their authors relate both parties, and they seem to be confused with each other.

As we search the Scriptures we can see that Christ participated in that last Passover in a different way. This section of the article will describe in detail what happened before and during the evangelical supper of the Lord.

The first thing to note is that the lamb was sacrificed that night. Through the reading of the Gospel of Mark, we can see how intentionally the evangelist associates the sacrifice of the Passover lamb with the sacrifice of Jesus. Here a new doctrine referring to the Lamb of God is revealed, which we will study on another occasion.

Analyzing this comparison, we can conclude that in both cases the blood of a lamb frees the chosen people from the wrath of God. The Passover lamb freed Israel from slavery in Egypt. The Lord delivered the church from death and sin.

For those who recognize the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross of Calvary and are washed by his blood will also be spared from the coming wrath of Almighty God.

Likewise, thanks to both sacrifices, that of the Passover lamb and that of Jesus, they freed a chosen people. One of an earthly slavery, others of a much more significant liberation, since it is spiritual.

In the specific case of Israel, it meant the end of slavery in the land of Egypt. For its part for the church is to free us from the slavery of sin and death. In this sense, Egypt represents for Christians the world and its passions.

Preparing the place to commemorate Easter

In the Gospel of Mark we can see how the disciples ask Jesus where they are going to commemorate the Feast of Easter. We can imagine the context of that moment.

The Jewish people celebrated the Passover Feast annually, so we assume that a large number of people would come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover Feast as a family. It is not surprising that the disciples were concerned about the place where he would celebrate the Passover Feast with the Lord, since they were aware of the danger that Jesus faced.

To prepare the site, the Lord sends two of his disciples (Luke 22:8). For the Lord there is no improvisation. Taking precautions, the Lord only reveals to these two disciples some signs that would indicate the exact place to celebrate the Paschal Feast.

Added to this context is the hostility that existed against the lord. His head already had a price and there were many important and powerful people who were looking for him to learn from him.

By searching the Scriptures we can imagine the place chosen by the Lord to celebrate the Feast of Passover. The Word of God reveals to us that it was an upper room. So, we can assume that he was in a higher place, on the second floor, of some Jewish house. It must have been a spacious place where the apostles and the Lord could be.

The Word also tells us that this place was already ready and organized for the celebration. This means that the place was already provided with a table, utensils, furnishings, divans, everything necessary to celebrate the Passover Feast.

According to the requirements established in the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Word of God, in order to celebrate Easter, it was necessary to clean the place very well of any particles of leavened bread that might be in the place where the celebration would take place. ceremony. However, the Apostles had to make other preparations.

In addition to making sure the place was ready, they had to take care of preparing the food for dinner. This assumes that the Apostles must have bought a lamb. They would take this little animal so that the priest could sacrifice it. According to the Law of God, they were to collect the blood of the lamb and sprinkle the altar with that blood.

They should also have skinned the lamb, removed the entrails, the fat so they could burn it on the altar. Later take that lamb to the upper room to roast it and eat it at the time of the party.

Prior to the celebration of the Passover Feast, it is logical to think that the two Apostles must have made some necessary purchases for the celebration, such as unleavened bread, wine and bitter herbs.

When everything was ready, Jesus arrives in the upper room with his Apostles. As only Jesus and his disciples were in the upper room, there was no servant to wash his hands and feet as was the custom. According to the Gospel of John we know that the Lord put a towel around his waist and began to wash the feet of the disciples.

The announcement of betrayal

During the Feast of Easter, Jesus Christ announces his kingdom to the Apostles. However, he warns his disciples that Satan managed to influence one of them, who would betray him. This traitor analyzed each of his steps that the Lord took in order to hand him over to the chief priests who would see to it that he was killed.

It should be noted that everything that was happening in that place was within God's plans. Psalms 41:9 prophesies for us the betrayal that the Lord Jesus would face by Judas Iscariot.

Let us remember that everything that happened in the Old Testament was a shadow of what was to come. So if we contrast the events of Psalm 41:9 with Judas' betrayal we will understand the Lord's control.

According to Psalms 41.9, King David was referring to the betrayal of Ahithophel, who was an intimate adviser to his kingdom, therefore he sat at his table. This dark character conspired with his son Absalom to betray David. Just as it happened between our Lord Jesus Christ and Judas Iscariot.

It is important to note that in the Middle East region, inviting someone to the table is an unequivocal sign of friendship, trust, and intimacy. During the description of the events that occurred during the Lord's Supper, we can see that Jesus offers a piece of bread soaked in sauce to Judas Iscariot, who never refused to eat Christ's bread. (John 13:26). This denotes a gesture of love on the part of Jesus towards the one who would betray him.

As we can appreciate, Judas participated together with Christ at the table, feigning his friendship towards him. However, Jesus Christ knew what was happening in the heart and mind of Judas, so he announces the betrayal before all these things happened. In this sense, we can affirm that Jesus Christ had absolute control of everything that was happening around him.

Sadness of the Apostles

Before the announcement of the Lord Jesus Christ about the betrayal that he had to face on the part of one of the Apostles with whom he shared that table, the Lord does not clarify which of them it would be who was going to betray him.

Faced with this terrible announcement, the Apostles begin to feel a deep sadness. A deep anguish and sadness emerge in their hearts, because they wondered if they would be the ones who would betray the Lord.

One may wonder why they felt such sadness, if each of them knew how they felt towards the Lord. So, we can assume that they were aware that their minds and hearts were always inclined towards evil and therefore they began to feel self-doubt.

Faced with this feeling of sadness, we can conclude that this is a very correct attitude, since we understand that they were examining themselves internally. So the fact that they began to grieve means that they felt guilt and pain at the possibility that Jesus might think that some of them would be the traitor.

We can also see in the Holy Scriptures that none of the Apostles was able to identify the traitor. Judas himself, even knowing what was in his mind and in his heart, dared to ask Jesus if he was the traitor (Matthew 26:25). We invite you to enter this link to study Gospel of Matthew

We can imagine with what degree of hypocrisy and cynicism Judas asked Jesus if he was the one who would betray him, however he could not hide his intentions from the Lord.

All this context does not leave a great teaching to us as Christians. The Lord, before institutionalizing the evangelical holy supper, made each of his Apostles examine his mind and heart before sharing food (1 Corinthians 11:28)

In other words, the teaching for us as Christians is that before celebrating the Lord's evangelical holy supper, it must be preceded by a moment of self-reflection, of examination of our attitudes, thoughts and feelings. Such self-reflections should lead us to deep repentance for everything we have done that has been contrary to the will of God (1 Corinthians 11: 31-32) 

Likewise, by highlighting the fact that the Passover Feast is a celebration with our brothers, we must review our relationship with them (Matthew 5: 33-34)

As for the traitor

Many of us might think that Judas Iscariot was selected among many to fulfill a prophecy. However, we must remember that the Lord designed us with free will.

Under no circumstances could anyone say or claim that he did not give Judas the opportunity to choose the right path. He heard firsthand the message of salvation, of ransom through love, of eternal life announced by Jesus himself.

Also, at the last supper, the Lord had a gesture of love towards him, in such a way as to persuade him to change what had already been sown in his mind and heart, it was like betraying the Lord for a handful of money.

However, Judas Iscariot, in his free will, rejected the opportunity, which, out of love, Jesus offered him at that moment. Iscariot made way for Satan to enter him (John 13:26-27)

Even the Lord tacitly warns Judas of everything that would happen to him if that high treason were consummated. The Lord in his own words said, “it would be good for that man not to have been born”, however, Judah was already willing to do what was planned in his mind and in his heart.

Almighty God respects his own laws. He determined from the beginning of the creation of humanity free will. In this sense, the Father respected the will of Judas Iscariot. There is no doubt that the Lord repeatedly tried to persuade him.

However, it is important to note that the human will can never prevent God's plans from being carried out. The sacrifice on the cross of Calvary was a rescue plan that was designed before the foundation of the world.

The Institution of the Lord's Supper

At the moment in which the Lord's Supper takes place, we can appreciate how Jesus refers to three biblical passages from the Old Testament. It primarily refers to the old covenant that was made at Sinai (Exodus 24:3-8). He then announces the pact of the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:31-34). Finally he announces to us the promise of the servant of God that he would take care of all the sins of the world through a sacrifice (Isaiah 53:12).

God thanks

Despite the adversities that Jesus would face, he began by giving thanks. He gives thanks because he was sure that the father would accompany him through the cup of the Cross. how we should suppose Jesus Christ was clear in the sufferings that he would face during the crucifixion, however he was aware that this would already glorify the father in the maximum expression of him.

body and blood

Much has been debated in relation to the phrases that the man referred to about the bread and wine that night. For some the bread and wine is a symbol of the death of Jesus for others it has meant the very body and the very blood of the Lord in other words since the bread and the wine are transformed into the body and blood of the Lord.

that is, the grace of the Lord is transferred to the bread and wine at the time we celebrate the Lord's Supper. This Catholic doctrine was consolidated in the Council of Trent which lasted until today.

According to the Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church when the priest consecrates the elements of the Eucharist literally the body and blood of Jesus Christ. This phenomenon is called transubstantiation. For this reason, in some ceremonies we can see how these symbols are paraded to bear witness to the apparent presence of Jesus in Catholic masses.

We Christians refute this phenomenon for a few reasons. The first is that the Jews were forbidden to drink blood (Leviticus 17:11). the other reason is that jesus christ was present in their midst it was impossible for them to eat of the body of the lord and drank of the blood of jesus christ while he was still present. The word of God says that Jesus Christ died once and for all. Thinking about transubstantiation makes us think that Jesus Christ dies so many times that we would and should eat at the Lord's Supper (Acts 10:12-14)

Finally, Jesus urged us to celebrate the holy supper in memory of his person, which confirms the symbolic nature of each of the elements found in the evangelical holy supper (1 Corinthians 11:24-25).

Even Jesus Christ makes it clear to us that when we celebrate and commemorate the Gospel Holy Supper we will be announcing his death until he comes, therefore by taking the bread and wine we are acknowledging that Jesus Christ is not present among us but rather we are waiting for his second coming .

Taking the bread and the wine

When Jesus gave bread and wine to each of his disciples, it implies that there was fellowship among those present (1 Corinthians 10:16-17).

The blood shed for many

Now some have interpreted the phrase "blood shed for many" to refer exclusively to those in whom we have believed in Christ. however, the holy scriptures reveal to us that Jesus died to save humanity and his sacrifice is available to all those who seek his salvation on the cross (John 3: 16-17).

this means that at that time Jesus Christ was taking all the sins of the world upon himself at all times in all places. Even though only the apostles of Jewish descent were present, the Lord was also including the Gentiles who would eventually form the church of Christ.

therefore, the shedding of Christ's blood on the cross of Calvary was sealing a pact not only with the people of Israel but with all of humanity.

How to make the evangelical holy supper?

As we have warned, the Lord's Supper is a commemoration of the Lord's sacrifice and crucifixion, which he did by grace for the remission of our sins.

To organize the evangelical holy supper it is necessary that we purify our hearts by approaching the cross and crying out for the Lord to forgive our wickedness.

The church must prepare itself for the commemoration of the death of our Lord Jesus. To make dinner, the following steps are recommended:

• First it is necessary to read the Word of God (1 Corinthians 11: 27-37)
• Deacons are encouraged to pass out the bread to the congregation. Meanwhile the Pastor of the church should say "The Word of God says that our Lord took the bread and gave thanks, let us pray".
• After distributing the bread, the Pastor hands the bread to the deacons of the Church.
• The whole church enters into a process of reflection remembering the body of Christ.
• Just as the Word of God recites, the congregation together with the Pastor will say:

Juan 6: 58

"This is the bread that came down from heaven: not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead: he who eats this bread shall live forever."

• The Pastor turns the instruction to take and eat the bread and they all pray in silence.
• The deacons then take the saucers of wine to distribute to the congregation.
• Then when the deacons return with empty saucers, the Pastor hands them their wine.
• The Pastor leads the congregation in saying the following Words.

"And almost everything is purified according to the law with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no remission." (Hebrews 9:22) "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)

• The entire congregation drinks the wine and prays in silence.
• The Pastor addresses the following words with the congregation

"For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." (1 Corinthians 11:26)

“The Word of God says that after Christ and his disciples ate the bread and drank the wine, thus celebrating the first Lord's Supper, they sang a hymn before retiring from the upper room. Let us sing a hymn and we will go quietly to our homes.”

• The entire congregation sings the farewell hymn.

To complement this doctrinal article on the Evangelical Holy Supper, we invite you to enjoy this audiovisual material

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