The Lord’s Supper: more than just symbolic?
When we ask if the Lord’s Supper is more than just symbolic, we are asking if the bread and cup become something more than just symbols as we take communion. The following serve as two examples of them becoming more than just symbols. . . (1) When celebrating Mass, Catholics believe the bread and wine actually become the flesh and blood of Jesus. This is transubstantiation, a transformation of the composition (substance) of the bread and wine. (2) Consubstantiation, a Lutheran concept, which other denominations accept as well (with some variations), holds that, during communion, “the body and blood of Christ and the bread and wine coexist in union with each other” (Wayne Jackson). So, the symbolic component in these two ways of observing the Lord’s Supper either diminishes or is null altogether.
So how should we look at the “elements” Jesus presented at “the Lord’s Supper”?
It’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty.
Is the Lord’s Supper more than just symbolic?
To answer this question, let us begin by considering the original, historical setting of the Lord’s Supper and try imagining what it was like to be there and witness what the disciples saw and heard. Only, for this post, I’m going to reverse the order in which Jesus presented the elements to His disciples.
“This is My blood”
Jesus said to them, “This is My blood” (Matt. 26:28). There was no physical evidence the disciples could see, that blood had been taken from His body and placed in a cup. There was no alarm or surprise at His presence on their part. He reclined at the table with them, as He normally did, with no apparent physical changes. He was Himself, whole in body and in spirit. Should it surprise us that He reserved the blood in His veins for His suffering and death? After all, the lesson He gave at that Passover meal was about His blood being poured out for the forgiveness of sins the following day. How could such blood be in the cup before that was a reality?
And, to help us understand this, Jesus said plainly that wine was in the cup they were drinking from. For, after He presented the cup and said, “All of you drink from it; for this is My blood of the new covenant shed for many for the remission of sins,” He said, “But I say to you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it with you, new, in the kingdom of My Father” (Matt. 26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:18).
“This is My body”
Nor was Jesus holding a piece of His body when He broke the bread and said, “This is My body.” It was plain to see, He was reclining there, in His body, and no part of it was missing. The disciples understood the symbolic nature of the things He said, though, at the time, their understanding of His death was still limited.
The Lord’s Supper: a memorial
We are looking for an answer to the question. . . Is the Lord’s Supper more than just symbolic?
Perhaps we can confirm the correct 🙂 answer by asking another question.
Does Jesus shed His blood and die every time you and I take communion? The New Testament says He died once (Rom. 6:10; Heb. 7:27; 9:25-28; 10:10,12,14,18; I Pet. 3:18). His death is not to be repeated over and over again, in any sense (whether through transubstantiation or consubstantiation). This would put Him to an open shame (Heb. 6:6) each time we observe the Lord’s Supper. Besides. As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we do it in His memory (I Cor. 11:24,25). We “remember,” or declare (I Cor. 11:26), His death. We don’t re-crucify Him each time we take communion. The “remembrance” for His disciples was future. Something they would do after He shed His blood and died. So the “blood” represented in the cup He held, He had not yet shed.
It is very simple. . .
If the broken body and shed blood of Jesus are present when we take communion, the Lord’s Supper cannot be a memorial, but is an actual sacrifice.
Practicing cannibalism
Because of the passages in the Gospels and I Corinthians 11 that describe the Lord’s Supper, and I Corinthians 10:14-18 and John 6:48-58, outsiders thought early Christians were practicing cannibalism. That’s how unbelievers who had no spiritual understanding saw it (John 6:52; compare John 2:20, 3:4, and 4:11,15,33). So, if we take this same literal, physical approach to the bread and cup (the body and blood of Jesus), are we also lacking spiritual understanding (see John 6:63)?
As we consider that question, it is instructive to notice that Paul felt the need to insert in I Corinthians 10:14-18, the words, “As to wise men I am speaking; you yourselves judge what I am saying” (verse 15). That means it’s a good idea not to be quick to draw conclusions. Discernment is required. It is not as simple or obvious as it may appear. The “obvious” pathways we are inclined to follow may not lead to a correct understanding of what Paul is saying. This is not about physical food and drink. Instead, there is a spiritual reality, a spiritual significance that infinitely outshines the “elements” themselves, which we are preoccupied with. We’ve got our eyes on decoys when we should be looking for mallards.
The Lord’s Supper and eternal life
We do not have eternal life because we eat physical bread or drink from a physical cup (John 6:53-58). Eternal life is spiritual in nature, though no less real than what we experience here. Perhaps more real. Eternal life is the eternal realisation of the spiritual oneness and fellowship we share intimately with Christ while on earth. And that is at the heart of the meaning of the fellowship of the blood and body of Christ (I Cor. 10:16; see Phil. 3:10). We don’t acquire this “fellowship,” or spiritual communion, with Him because we swallow bread and wine, though that would make it much simpler. Physical objects or substances are incapable of giving us a boost into spiritual realities like this. And that is precisely where “religion” goes wrong.
“My body,” the church
It is important, in light of this, to see how Christ’s “body” is also closely identified with the church (I Cor. 10:17; 11:20-22, 27-30; 12:12; Eph. 1:22,23; Col. 1:24). We are “flesh of His flesh and bone of His bone” (notice Luke 24:39). Some Greek MSS use these very words, when speaking of Christ and the church in verse 30 of Ephesians 5:25-32, which are in Genesis 2:21-23, and show Christ giving life to the church through His broken body, as God also gave life through Adam to Eve. So, we find that we share a profound, mystic union with Christ (Col. 1:24-27), which, according to Paul, is “a great mystery,” more incredible than the physical union a man and woman have in marriage (Eph. 5:30-32).
The Lord’s Supper: the bread and cup, and outward religious forms
Unfortunately, it is often true, with outward religious forms in public worship, that, when we focus on physical objects we believe somehow become something they are not, they inadvertently draw the eyes of our heart away from the spiritual realities they represent. It is so easy to grow accustomed to outward forms of worship, thinking the Spirit also works in this mechanical way. But these “perpetual” practices tend to produce spiritual ignorance and apathy, and cause many who go through the robotic motions to totally miss the spiritual reality behind them, leading souls, eternally, down a path that does not lead to life, but is actually a means of deceiving them.
The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world
When Earth began spinning around the sun, and Eden saw the first light of day, before man ever gazed at ocean waves or woods and fields filled with life, in the determinate council of God, the Lamb was slain. In Revelation, He is heralded as “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (13:8). God providentially predetermined that, at an appointed time, the Romans would plant a cross on Golgotha, bearing His Son. Therefore, a “wooden shadow” fell across the span of epochs before A.D. and reached all the way back to the foundation of the world. So, you could say, the earth waited in anticipation of this event from the beginning: when “God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). Thus, when the Lamb appeared, and the time came, He said, “Truly, the Son of man goes [to His death] as [heaven has] determined” (Luke 22:22).
Accordingly, the author of Hebrews wrote. . .
“Now, once, in the consummation of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Heb. 9:26-28).
Therefore, Jesus asks us to
“Do this [partake of the Lord’s Supper] in remembrance of Me.”
© James Unruh 2025 and beyond
James,
Thanks for taking the time to write all of this out. It is very detailed and presented in a highly professional way. As someone who is not skilled in the art of writing, I will attempt to convey some of my thoughts below.
I am almost certain Confessional Lutherans do not subscribe to consubstantiation. We are not asking “how” is Christ present but rather we are trying to answer the “what” of the Lord’s Supper. We would say the body and blood are truly present in, with, and under the bread and wine to both worthy and unworthy.
Speaking on the bread, what do you think about 1 Cor 10:16? “The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?”
This also connects with the question of is Christ coming to us or are we trying to go to him? The words of institution also say “This is my body, given for you…” Given for you is really important! It’s a tangible way of knowing Christ’s promises are true.
This analogy from a book I’m reading might be useful…”We would starve to death without food. This means we are sustained by the death of other living things. What is true for the physical life is true for the spiritual – we can only live if there has been a sacrifice…And we can only stay alive if we have continual nourishment from that sacrifice.”
Here are a few other quick examples of the spiritual realm working in the material realm. 1. The world (Earth) God made is material and 2. Jesus came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary and was made man. 3. John 1:14 says “The Word became flesh.”
In regards to a continual sacrifice. We agree he was sacrificed once but, we do receive the benefits of his sacrifice.
In regards to cannibalism: John 6:48 isn’t an obvious reference to The Lord’s Supper. Words of institution are not recorded and there is no wine present. But, it is a passage I think about often!
In regards to physical objects giving us a spiritual boost I would disagree. Moses made a staff with a Bronze serpent to heal people. Also, people who touched Jesus’ clothes were healed. And, the Bible is a physical object!
Thanks for letting me post this to your blog. I always enjoy our dialogues together and when I have more time I will respond to more of this post!
God’s Peace.
-Alex
Thanks for your response, Alex.
It is true that some Lutherans do not subscribe to consubstantiation. But, any Lutheran who holds that “the body and blood are truly present in, with, and under the bread and wine” believes in consubstantiation. I’m not sure what significance “under” has, or what that means; nor do I see how this description of the Lord’s Supper differs in reality from transubstantiation.
I explained what I think about I Corinthians 10:16 under the subheading, “The Lord’s Supper and eternal life.” What Paul said in that text relates to the spiritual fellowship we share intimately with Christ, as described in Philippians 3:10. This fellowship is represented by the bread and cup.
As for the institution of the bread and cup being for us “a tangible way of knowing Christ’s promises are true,” they certainly do encourage our faith; but there is only one tangible event we have need of as Christians in order to know Christ’s promises are true. And that is His death on a cross outside Jerusalem (and His resurrection), given once for all in real, historical time. (That is what we are remembering till He comes. Our eyes have gone well beyond the bread and cup we hold in our hands.)
The “continual nourishment from that sacrifice” of Jesus (a quote from a book you are reading) is experienced through our spiritual communion with Him. That’s what it means to abide in Christ, every moment. It’s all about a personal, vital, spiritual relationship with Him, which is not experienced by simply taking communion at certain times of the year.
Yes, we receive the benefits of His sacrifice every day, as John wrote: “The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin” (I John 1:7,9).
And yes, no doubt, God steps into the physical world! “The Word became flesh.”
But as for physical objects giving us a boost into spiritual realms. . .
Physical objects don’t possess special power in themselves, but the spiritual realities they represent and the God behind them do. King Hezekiah broke in pieces the brazen serpent Moses had made and called it “a piece of bronze” (II Kings 18:4) because that’s all it was. Nor did the clothing Jesus wore heal anyone, but the Man inside it possessed the power to heal. Likewise, the words on the pages of the Bible will not pass away, but the physical paper they are written on, and the covers and spine in which they are bound, will be destroyed with the rest of the old earth in the end (Matt. 24:35; II Cor. 4:18; II Pet. 3:10-13).
You’re right. John 6:48 has no direct reference to the Lord’s Supper, but it covers the same subject: eating His flesh (body) and drinking His blood. It is also important to understand, that when Jesus speaks of eating His flesh and drinking His blood in John 6, He gives words of explanation, which are instructive, when He says, “It is the Spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). These words of Jesus in John 6, relating to His flesh and blood, are not meant to be taken literally. They are spiritual in nature, representing a spiritual reality. Therefore, the principle in John 6:63 also shines a light on the Lord’s Supper. We see that real life is not derived from physical objects such as bread and a cup. It is found in Jesus Himself and our personal, intimate relationship with Him (John 6:57: Phil. 1:21).
May the Spirit of Christ give us understanding, Alex.
Your brother, James
1. Transubstantiation, from my understanding, is the belief that the priest changes the bread and wine into the actual body and blood of Jesus while keeping the appearance of bread and wine. “In, With, and Under” embraces the mystery surrounding God’s Promises.
I don’t think God intended for us to know exactly what is going on during this event. I do imagine this ritual in Christianity would not hold the same significance if the forgiveness of sins was not attached. But since it is, it holds a very high place in the daily life of Christians.
2. 1 Cor 10 – If the Lord’s supper is only a spiritual participation, what does Paul mean when he says “ Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ?”
3. “It’s all about a personal, vital, spiritual relationship with Him” – I’m not sure I completely understand this idea! How does this relate to the fact that Christ came down to us, to save us, despite our works (good or bad). James 1:26
4. You said, “Physical objects don’t possess special power in themselves, but the spiritual realities they represent and the God behind them do.”
Yes! I definitely made an incorrect statement. However, I believe that the idea you presented is active in the bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper. Just like the rod God had Moses build, and the clothes Jesus wore, etc.
5. Speaking more broadly, I think a lot of this comes down to trying to parse out when the Bible wants us to read things literally or symbolically/metaphorically. Jesus said, “I am the door” (John 10:9) and “I am the true vine” (John 15:1). I don’t know many Christians who would argue that Jesus is actually a door or physically a vine. But when Jesus says “This is my body” we trust (even though we can’t fully explain it) that he means what he says.
If you were to break the sentence down it might look something like this.
This = Subject, Is = Verb, My Body = Direct object (This is the thing that’s broken for you)
My question for you would be, which part of “this is my body” would you say is symbolic or representative?
As always I greatly enjoy our conversations together. Thank you for challenging me and I hope we can continue our dialogues!
God’s Peace
-Alex
P.S. I do plan on working on the questions you asked me the last time we spoke in person.
Hi Alex. Your final question pretty well sums up the theme of your comment. . . “My question for you would be, which part of ‘this is my body’ would you say is symbolic or representative?'”
Let’s look at I Corinthians 11:23 and 24.
“The Lord Jesus, in the night in which He was being delivered [betrayed], took bread” (v.23). The bread He took was part of the Passover meal He and His disciples were eating together. “And having given thanks, He broke [it] and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body broken for you; this do in My remembrance'” (v.24).
When Jesus said, “This is My body,” was He holding His body in His hand as He reclined in it at the table with His disciples?
He also said, “This is My body broken.” His body was not broken, but completely whole as He said these words in their presence. His body was not broken, nor was His blood shed, until the next day when He died on the cross. Today, we see the Lord’s Supper as something historical, but we need to go back to that very night to actually understand what Jesus was saying. We look back; the disciples were looking forward because Jesus was disclosing something to them that had not yet happened.
Jesus told us what the Lord’s Supper is, and therefore, what it means. He said, it is for us a memorial. When we take communion we are remembering His death, something He accomplished once, historically, which cannot be repeated, but the benefits of which we enjoy forever. A memorial is not a public execution of Jesus each time we take communion. If “This is My body” is literal, “This do in My remembrance” is not.
I am in agreement with the remembrance, I just don’t know what to do with the partaking in an unworthy manner passage? 1 Cor. 11-30 [I Cor. 11:20-34]
Hi Brad. Taking the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner, in the context, basically means thinking only about yourself and not showing concern for the rest of the body of Christ. In Corinth, when they gathered for the Lord’s Supper, some had a lot to eat and drink, while others went hungry. Some were drunk (v.21). They didn’t care about one another. They despised the church and put to shame those who had not (v.22). Because of this, many among them were judged by God. “Wherefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, tarry one for another” (v.33). And so, “not discerning the Lord’s body” in verse 29 is, in essence, a reference to the church (not thinking about or caring for others who are in the body), and points to the union the church has with Christ as His body (notice I Cor. 10:16,17).
Thanks James for your insight and study of God’s Word.
Your cousin,
Jeff Winckler
Good to hear from you, Jeff. Jesus’ blessings.