The Bread and Water

[LostSheep]

Ok, I'm still trying to understand the symbols of the sacrament bread and water. Jesus is the bread of life. Not physical food, but spiritual food. He fills souls, not stomachs. Why the water? It seems redundant. Is the water symbolic of something that the bread does not already symbolize? Why did they use wine, when water is such a better symbol (John 4:13-14 "Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh this of this water, shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst...") I know this is a lot of questions, but I really want to know. I want to know everything about the sacrament, so when I get to take it again, it can truly mean something to me. Thank you.

[pam]

The water represents the blood that Christ shed for our sins.

[pam]

From lds.org

When He instituted the sacrament, Jesus Christ said, "This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. . . . This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you" (Luke 22:19–20). The sacrament provides an opportunity for Church members to ponder and remember with gratitude the life, ministry, and Atonement of the Son of God. The broken bread is a reminder of His body and His physical suffering—especially His suffering on the cross. It is also a reminder that through His mercy and grace, all people will be resurrected and given the opportunity for eternal life with God.

The water is a reminder that the Savior shed His blood in intense spiritual suffering and anguish, beginning in the Garden of Gethsemane and concluding on the cross. In the garden He said, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death" (Matthew 26:38). Submitting to the will of the Father, He suffered more than we can comprehend: "Blood [came] from every pore, so great [was] his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people" (Mosiah 3:7). He suffered for the sins, sorrows, and pains of all people, providing remission of sins for those who repent and live the gospel (see 2 Nephi 9:21–23). Through the shedding of His blood, Jesus Christ saved all people from what the scriptures call the "original guilt" of Adam's transgression (Moses 6:54).

Partaking of the sacrament is a witness to God that the remembrance of His Son will extend beyond the short time of that sacred ordinance. Part of this ordinance is a promise to remember Him always and a witness of individual willingness to take upon oneself the name of Jesus Christ and to keep His commandments. In partaking of the sacrament and making these commitments, Church members renew the covenant they made at baptism (see Mosiah 18:8–10; D&C 20:37).

In return, the Lord renews the promised remission of sin and enables Church members to "always have his Spirit to be with them" (D&C 20:77). The Spirit's constant companionship is one of the greatest gifts of mortality.

In preparation for the sacrament each week, Church members take time to examine their lives and repent of sins. They do not need to be perfect in order to partake of the sacrament, but they should have a spirit of humility and repentance in their hearts. Every week they strive to prepare for that sacred ordinance with a broken heart and a contrite spirit (see 3 Nephi 9:20).

[WmLee]

Also keep in mind that at the time of Christ education and formal training was not something everyone had. But they did have things they used every day. So, to take something like bread or water and use it symbolically was not uncommon. In a lot of ways we still do this. I think of traffic signals; the shape of the sign, the color, and even those who speak little or no English, if they understand the shape and color represent something, can have an idea of what to expect or do.

"Gospel Symbolism" by Joseph Fielding McConkie is a great book on the many symbols use in worship.

[lattelady]

Lostsheep,

They used wine because during the Last Supper, Jesus taught His disciples to remember Him using bread as a symbol of His body that was going to be broken, and then it says, "Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of the FRUIT OF THE VINE from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom." (Matt.26:27-29). So, to this day we still use juice from the "fruit of the vine", whether it be wine or grape JUICE--either way it is still juice from the fruit of the vine, just as Jesus used--symbolizing the blood that He would shed.

Communion is such a beautiful thing that we practice in church today: out of obedience to Jesus and reverence for Him and deep gratitude for what He did. I've prayed, at times in my life, that God would protect the preciousness of the practice in my own mind and heart; because, I know that anything that is done repetitively has a tendency to become something I do from wrote memory--following instruction, but not engaging in the true meaning. I think it is awesome that you're learning about Sacrament so that the meaning of it will be all the more precious to you the next time you take it.

Edited October 30, 2009 by lattelady

[Just_A_Guy]

I want to add that a lot of Church ordinances have different layers of meaning. Your initial interpretation isn't necessarily wrong, LostSheep; just bear in mind that the Church has given a different interpretation. It never hurts to keep an open mind and try to mine additional layers of meaning from our rituals.

Lattelady, I agree that wine (well, grape juice) would be the ideal if a constant supply of pure product were always available (you may have already seen this, but check out D&C 27). Because it wasn't, the LDS Church opted long ago to just go with water. But I see no reason this couldn't change back in the blink of an eye--especially with today's improved food distribution chains.

[Justice]

Gethsemane means wine press. It is where they crushed the grapes and olives to make juice and oil. This is very symbolic of what happened to Christ in Gethsemane.

I would suggest just keep reading and praying about the sacrament prayers. There is great depth and teaching contained in them. You might try comparing the differences between the 2.

Also, remember there are 2 parts to baptism, and 2 parts to the sacrament. That might get you started down the right path.

[Moksha]

From the Last Supper we have Jesus as the new passover ingredient. Catholics have a belief in the literal transubstantiation of the wine and wafer into the blood and body of Jesus.

Protestants introduced the wine and host of communion as symbolic tokens rather than a literal transubstantiation.

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