Lord’s Day 29
Q79. Then why does Christ call the bread his body and the cup his blood?
Christ has good reason. He wants to teach us that, just as bread and wine feed our bodies, his body and blood truly feed our souls for eternal life. Even more, he wants to assure us by this visible sign that we share in his true body and blood through the Holy Spirit, as surely as we eat and drink the bread and cup. All his suffering and obedience are as truly ours as if we had suffered and paid for our sins ourselves.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
John 6:51, 55
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.”
1 Corinthians 11:26
Romans 6:5–11
Parent Guide
Discuss this question together
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Christ use bread and wine to teach us about his body and blood?
- 2
What does it mean that Christ wants to "assure us" through the Supper and not just teach us?
- 3
How does knowing that Christ's obedience is "as truly ours as if we had done it ourselves" change the way you think about standing before God?
Illustration
Bread and wine are ordinary things that keep your body alive. You eat and drink them and they become part of you. Christ chose these common foods on purpose. Just as bread and wine feed your body, his sacrifice feeds your soul for eternal life. The familiar act of eating becomes a lesson you experience, not just hear.
Application
At your next meal, hold the bread for a moment before eating it. Remember that Christ chose something this ordinary to teach you something this important. Thank him that his suffering counts as though it were yours.