Communion; What It Is and How To Perform It
Many professed followers of Mashiach have been deceived into thinking that the Mashiach gave us a new covenant, and that that covenant Law consists of only two commandments. This is a dangerous error. They believe that all one needs to do for eternal life is partake of communion, show love to others, and show love to Aluahim. Unfortunately, these professed followers of MASSIACH (Christians) do not know how to love Aluahim nor their neighbor, because their doctrine completely throws out the manual (the Torah). They have separated the Tanakh (wrongfully called the Old Testament) from the Brit Chadashah (wrongfully called the New Testament). Therefore, loving Aluahim or one’s neighbor is based on their own judgment and not the Law of Aluahim. What most people do not understand is that Christianity has both redefined sin while creating an entirely different religion than the one taught by the Mashiach.
This article will uncover that there is only one covenant made by Aluahim, and Yahushua HaMashiach came to confirm that very same covenant that was given in Mount Sinai. From Adam, to Noah, to Abraham, to Moses, to Yahushua, Aluahim’s covenant has always been the same. The only thing that changes, is whom He sends to confirm with the people the everlasting covenant. Shortly, we will see that communion is a practice done to show the renewal of YAHUAH’S original covenant with man, and that it is not a so-called “new covenant” or “new testament”.
In this article, we will learn what the everlasting covenant is, what communion represents, and how to properly perform communion. Yahushua commanded us to perform communion regularly. Communion is simply a way for us to show Aluahim:
- That we will keep His everlasting covenant Law (Torah); His ten commandments, His appointed times, and His precepts and ordinances.
- That His Son was sacrificed for our transgressions of His Torah.
- That His Son will return.
- That we are no longer individuals, but a member of the Body of Mashiach (Aluahim’s church).
Most of Christendom knows what communion is in the practical form, but do not realize the significance of this practice nor do they understand how to perform it properly. Some Christian denominations pass the bread and the wine around the congregation without even partaking, while in other denominations everyone partakes. Many denominations use alcoholic wine, while others use grape juice. And, almost all denominations use unleavened bread. In order to find out how to properly perform communion while learning it’s true meaning, we will need to see what Aluahim’s Word says about this topic.
The Bread
1 Corinthians 11:24-26: For I have received of Mashiach that which also I delivered unto you, That Yahushua the same night in which He was betrayed took bread: And when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me. After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the testament in My blood: this you do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. For as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you do show Yahushua’S death till He come.
Yahushua instructed us to perform communion on a regular basis, and it should be done directly after baptism and often thereafter. It gives acknowledgment to Yahushua as our savior, lamb, high priest, king, judge, and son of YAHUAH, all while proclaiming his imminent return. We will now discuss what the bread represents and if we should use unleavened or leavened bread.
Let’s start with the evening that communion was performed on. It is a common misunderstanding that communion was performed on Passover (Abib 14th), but this is not true. The day that Yahushua and His disciples established communion was on the evening before Passover day, and that being on Abib 13th. Communion is also known as Yahushua’S evening meal (keyword: evening), because it was performed in the evening, not at night. Matthew writes,
Matthew 26:20: And when the evening was come, He sat down with the twelve.
The word used for evening is the Greek word opsias: Late, evening, afternoon, or nightfall. This could have not been Passover which is to be eaten specifically at Night (after sunset), or else the writer would have used the Greek word for Night which is nux. Take note, that evening time to the Hebrews began around 3pm. John plainly tells us that this supper was before the Passover feast. He writes,
John 13:1-2: Now before the feast of the Passover, when Yahushua knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the Devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him.
The “supper” that had ended was Yahushua’S evening meal (the Last Supper), which was held on Abib 13th which is the evening before the day of Passover (Abib 14th), hence John writing, “before the feast of the Passover”. After the bread was passed around, Satan entered into Judas, and Yahushua told Judas that it was now the time for Judas to go tell the Pharisees where they all were so that Yahushua can be taken and tried in the Yahudim (Jewish) courts before Passover day began. John writes,
John 13:27: Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him (Judas). Then Yahushua said to him, “What you do, do quickly”.
Yahushua knew exactly what Judas was up to, and by this time Judas had no control of his own mind. Yahushua might as well had been talking straight to the Adversary at this point. Now, notice what the next two verses say,
John 13:28-29: Now no man at the table knew for what intent He (Yahushua) spoke this unto him (Judas). For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag (money bag), that Yahushua had said unto him, Buy those things that we need for the feast (Passover); or, that he should give something to the poor.
Why would the disciples think that Yahushua asked Judas to buy the things needed for the Passover feast, if the Passover feast had already ended that night? This is because the supper that was just eaten, was on Abib 13th the day before Passover which is always held on Abib 14th.
Some people believe that Yahushua kept this feast one night earlier. Well, that would have been against the Law (both the Torah and civil law). Then others will say that it was technically still on the 14th of Abib because a supposed “Jewish” day begins on the previous night. This too is very much incorrect. In the days of Mashiach, a Yahudim (Jewish) day began at sunrise. The day beginning on the previous night is a pagan tradition that modern Jews established after Mashiach.
See these articles for more details – What Constitutes a Day in Scripture? And, Sunday and Saturday, Tradition or Sabbath?
We will now bring to light one more major reason why this meal could have not been the Passover meal. The Torah (Law) states:
Exodus 12: 8: And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread (matzah); and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.
Exodus 12:15: Seven days shall you eat unleavened bread (matzah); even the first day you shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Yasharal (Israel).
All leavened bread is to be put outside of the homes before the evening of Abib 14th, “even the first day [being Abib 14th] you shall put away leaven out of your houses”, writes Moses. No leavened bread is to be eaten during the Passover meal, and also for the seven days of Unleavened Bread (Abib 15th-21st). But interestingly, when writing about this evening (the Last supper), all four gospels use the Greek word arton (regular leavened bread) to describe the bread in which Yahushua broke.
Matthew 26:26: And as they were eating, Yahushua took bread (arton), and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body”.
Mark 14:22: And as they did eat, Yahushua took bread (arton), and blessed, and broke it, and gave to them, and said, “Take, eat: this is my body”.
Luke 22:19: And He took bread (arton), and gave thanks, and broke it, and gave unto them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me”.
John 13:18: I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, He that eats bread (arton) with me has lifted up his heel against me.
Referring to the last verse written by John, the original prophecy was written by David in the book of Psalms. The prophet and king David also chooses to use the Hebrew word lahmi from the root word lachem which is regular bread, opposed to the Hebrew word matzah which is unleavened bread. Therefore, proving that a thousand years before the Last Supper, Aluahim was declaring that regular bread would be eaten by His Son on this very specific evening. David writes,
Psalm 41:9: Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of My bread (lechem), has lifted up his heel against Me.
When the apostle Paul confirms to the church in Corinth that they should still keep this appointed feast of Passover, he carefully uses the Greek word azumos (unleavened bread). This statement was written both literally and figuratively, for the Torah forbids leavened bread on Passover (14th-21st).
Paul writes,
1 Corinthians 5:8: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread (azumos) of sincerity and truth.
Then, in the same letter to the Corinthians, when he talks about what Yahushua actually ate at the Last Supper, Paul uses the Greek word arton, the word for regular leavened bread.
We read,
1 Corinthians 11:23: For I have received of Yahushua that which also I delivered unto you, that Yahushua the same night in which He was betrayed took bread (arton).
He further goes on to write,
1 Corinthians 11:26-28: For as often as you eat this bread (arton), and drink this cup, you do show Yahushua’s death till He come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread (arton), and drink this cup of Yahushua, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of Yahushua. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread (arton), and drink of that cup.
In the previous chapter to the Corinthians, Paul tells us whom this leavened bread (arton) represents. He writes,
1 Corinthians 10:16-17: The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Mashiach? The bread (arton) which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Mashiach? For we being many are one bread (arton), and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread (arton).
The entire time Yahushua was sitting down with His disciples at the Last Supper He spoke in parables. Said Yahushua,
John 16:25: These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time is coming, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly of the Father.
When Yahushua said, “This is my body”, he was not telling his disciples that the leavened bread (arton) represents his actual physical body, but instead it represents his church (referred to as the Body of Mashiach), who is not spotless, sinless, or without leaven.
This bread does not literally or even figuratively represent the physical body of Yahushua HaMashiach like the Catholic church along with most Protestant churches teach.
This is why most of Christendom use unleavened bread when performing communion, to represent the sinlessness of Mashiach because they teach that the bread represents Mashiach’S body. No, this leavened bread represents you and me, the church (Body) of Mashiach. “For we being many are one bread (arton), and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread (arton).”
Paul spells this out even clearer in chapter 12 verse 27. He writes,
1 Corinthians 12:27: Now you are the body of Mashiach, and members in particular.
If Yahushua had actually eaten matzah (azumos in Greek), and if the Last Supper had indeed been the Passover, why would these writers of the Brit Chadashah (New Testament) discredit their Master (Rabbai) Yahushua – the son of Aluahim, by implying that He committed a grievous sin before the nation and before the Most-High by eating regular bread (arton in the Greek)? This is because the Catholic church wants us to believe that a Yahudim (Jewish) day begins the night before, and that the communion bread literally turns into the body of Mashiach. Sadly, most people believe these lies which are completely contrary to the Word of YAHUAH (Holy Scripture).
Communion should be performed with regular leavened bread, and not with unleavened bread like most of Christendom teaches. The leavened bread represents those who choose to pick up their cross and follow the Mashiach. Those who practice keeping the Torah, but fall short. Those who are full of spots, but through the blood of Mashiach will be made spotless.
The Body
If we are baptized into Mashiach, then we must perform communion regularly. The act of communion shows that we no longer live for ourselves, but for the church of Mashiach. The church of Mashiach is referred to by the apostles as one Body, in which every single member is held together by the blood of the Lamb, and the strength of Aluahim. Yahushua’S church is not located in a physical structure or building. We’re told that,
Acts 17:24: YAHUAH that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Aluahim of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands.
This is why we are told to worship “in Spirit and in Truth” (John 4:24). The Spirit representing the Ruach HaQodash (Holy Spirit), and the Truth representing the Torah. The members of the body of Yahushua (church of Aluahim) can be found in all four corners of the earth. Paul writes,
1 Corinthians 3:9-11: For we are laborers together with Aluahim: you are Aluahim’s husbandry, you are Aluahim’s building. According to the grace of Aluahim which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Yahushua HaMashiach.
Yahushua and his Torah (Law), is both the foundation and cornerstone of his church. And, the entire Body make up the church of Mashiach. I say, “his Law” because Yahushua is the king of YAHUAH’S Kingdom therefore, he upholds the Law of the land (that being the land of New Yarushalam). Peter writes,
1 Peter 2:5: You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to Aluahim by Yahushua HaMashiach.
As a physical body comprises of a head, arms, legs, hands, feet, eyes, ears, and so-on, the Body of Mashiach contains apostles, prophets, teachers, miracle workers, healers, helps, administrators, speakers of tongues, and Yahushua as our Head.
1 Corinthians 11-14: But all these work that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Mashiach. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Yahudim (Jews) or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.
It is then made clear that there is not one member of the Body which is better than another, nor is there a hierarchy within the church, “but that the members should have the same care one for another” (1 Corinthians 12:25). A human body part cannot separate itself from the head, and live. Likewise, each member of Yahushua’S Body (church) does not exist to perform its personal agenda, but that of which the Head (Mashiach) instructs it to do. Paul further writes,
2 Corinthians 5:15: And that He (Yahushua) died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.
We, the Body of Mashiach, are One,
1 Corinthians 12:26: And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member honored, all the members rejoice with it.
For more information on the church of Mashiach, please read the article, The Body of Messiah (Aluahim’s Church).
The Everlasting Covenant
All of Christendom will falsely teach that the Torah – Law of Aluahim, was done away with at the cross. This is the biggest lie taught to professed believers in the Mashiach. If there is no Torah (Law) then there is no covenant. This is why all of Christendom falsely teach that the covenant was changed with the coming of Mashiach, because they teach that the Torah (Law) was done away with. The prophet Daniel clearly prophesied what part of the Torah (Law) would change after Mashiach’S death. The messenger (angel) Gabriel tells Daniel,
Daniel 9:27: Then He (Mashiach) will confirm the covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He will bring a stop to sacrifices and gift offerings.
Take note, that Daniel said “confirm the covenant”. What covenant? The very same covenant made with Adam, Abraham, Moses, and all the children of Yasharal. Yahushua came to confirm the everlasting covenant.
What Yahushua’s death changed was the sacrifices and gift offerings. The doing away of the earthly sacrificial system which is the Levitical covenant mentioned by Malachi (refer to Malachi 2:8-9) is not debated by most. This was made clear when the temple was rent in half directly after Mashiach’S death. Yahushua said,
John 2:19: Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
Yahushua our Mashiach destroyed the earthly temple and became our one-time sacrifice. This sacrifice atoned for our sins here in the earth so that we can have the opportunity to enter into New Yarushalam. The earthly temple was merely a copy of the heavenly temple. As the earthly temple required a high priest, Yahushua is our acting High Priest in the heavenly temple. As the earthly temple required the shedding of blood for transgression of the Law, Yahushua’S blood atoned for all earthly sins while cleansing the heavenly sanctuary in order to minister to the Most-High on our behalf. The blood of Yahushua our Mashiach has allowed us to ask for forgiveness of sins through prayer while providing the way into the New Kingdom.
The concept of the earthly sacrificial system coming to an end was hard for the Hebrews to grasp because it was a deeply rooted practice done amongst them for about 1,500 years. This is why Paul’s letter to the Hebrews is the go to source for understanding the transition from the earthly to the heavenly sanctuary. In Paul’s letter to the Hebrews, he breaks this concept down while confirming that the covenant Law will not change until the New Kingdom. He writes,
Hebrews 8:7-13: For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says YAHUAH, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Yasharal and with the house of Yahuda — not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says YAHUAH. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Yasharal after those days, says YAHUAH: I will put My Laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their Aluahim, and they shall be My people. None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know YAHUAH,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
This passage tells us some very important details. I must first point out that every time a prophet writes, “in those days”, he is referring to either: the day of Mashiach’S return, the thousand-year reign, or the New Kingdom (after the thousand-year reign). From these words, we can gather that this “new covenant” is not established until after Yahushua’S second coming. Now, let’s carefully take a look at these words.
Paul tells us that the fault was not in the covenant but with Aluahim’s people who chose not to keep it. This is why Paul wrote, “Because finding fault with them”, and “because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them”. The first generation from the Exodus did not make it to the promised land because they did not keep YAHUAH’S covenant. The same is with the heavenly land of New Canaan, for those who do not keep YAHUAH’S covenant will not be permitted to enter.
Next, the gospel is still being preached, and Paul tells us “they shall not teach every man his neighbor”.
Next, not every person in the world knows the Aluahim of the Bible, and Paul says, “all shall know Me”.
And lastly, the sins of the wicked are still remembered by Aluahim, for He has not yet judged all the sinners. Paul writes, “their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more”.
As Mashiach is ready to return and gather His people, the old covenant “is ready to vanish away”, but has not yet.
There would have been no reason for Yahushua to lay down his life on behalf of transgressing YAHUAH’S Law (Torah) if supposedly there is no more Law (Torah). Yahushua’s sacrifice confirmed that the covenant Law still stands. We need His atoning blood to cover our sins. what sins? the transgression of YAHUAH’S Torah (refer to 1 John 3:4) which is His covenant amongst His children. We still need the blood of the Lamb to cover our unrighteousness, but in the new world (New Yarushalam) all things will be made perfect. There will be no need for a Lamb because there will be no more sin. As the prophets tells us, the Law of Aluahim will be in our minds and hearts, and this is the “new covenant” that has yet to be established. Paul is simply echoing the words of the prophets who wrote,
Ezekiel 36:26: A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Jeremiah 31:33: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Yasharal; After those days, says YAHUAH, I will put My Law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their Aluahim, and they shall be My people.
Man has not yet been given a new heart, mind, spirit, and this does not happen until after the return of our Savior. The Law of Aluahim has not been written on our hearts or else there would be no more transgression of it.
On the evening before Yahushua gave up His life for our transgressions, He commanded us to practice communion. He said,
Matthew 26:28: This is My blood of the [new] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
It is essential to know that the word “new” is added in many Bible versions. This was purposely done to help create a new religion (Christianity) that completely leaves out the covenant Law (Torah). The Greek word used for covenant is Strong’s Concordance number 1242, diatheke: covenant, testament.
The so-called New Testament Scriptures are nothing new at all but rather Testimonies that support the same covenant made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Yasharal (Israel). Yahushua did not come down to earth to make a so-called “new” covenant with man, but to re-confirm the original covenant made with Abraham that was later established with the children of Yasharal (Israel). The ISR Version Bible puts it this way,
Matthew 26:28 (ISR): For this is My blood, that of the renewed covenant, which is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins.
The supposed “New Testament” Scriptures are not new ideas, concepts, doctrines, beliefs, etc. They simply further explain the Law and the Prophets (the Tanakh). The Hebrew word for New Testament is Brit Chadashah. The word brit simply means: covenant, and most will say that the word chadashah means: new, but this is not true. The Hebrew word chadashah comes from the root word chadash which is Strong’s Concordance number 2318, chadash (khaw-dash): A primitive root; to be new; causatively, to rebuild – renew, repair, restore.
This same root word (chadash) is used to describe what is wrongfully called the New Moon (full New Moon) which is technically the Renewed Moon hence the restoration of the light returning to the moon making it full yet again.
Yahushua did not come to make a new covenant but to confirm the existing covenant.
The prophet and song writer David writes,
1 Chronicles 16:13-18: O seed of Yasharal His servant, you children of Jacob, His chosen ones! He is YAHUAH our Aluahim; His judgments are in all the earth. Remember His covenant forever, the Word which He commanded, for a thousand generations, The covenant which He made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac, and confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, to Yasharal for an everlasting covenant, saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan [new Canaan] as the allotment of your inheritance.”
Our duty as followers of the Mashiach is to preach the everlasting gospel which is the everlasting covenant made with man and this is why YAHUAH refers to us as “the repairers of the breach”. Isaiah writes,
Isaiah 58:12: Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will raise up the age-old foundations; and you will be called the Repairer of the breach, the Restorer of the path (nethibah) in which to dwell.
The Dictionary definition of the word breach means: an act of breaking or failing to observe a law, or code of conduct.
Our duty as children of YAHUAH and followers of the Mashiach is to teach people to keep Aluahim’s Torah (Law) which is our side of the covenant or promise in order to receive the land of new Canaan (New Yarushalam). The same Hebrew word for path (nethibah) used by the prophet Isaiah is used by the prophet Jeremiah when YAHUAH tells us,
Jeremiah 6:16: Thus says YAHUAH, “Stand in the ways and see and ask for the ancient path (nethibah) [Isaiah says age-old foundations], where the good way is [the Law is good], and walk in it [Isaiah says dwell]; and you will find rest for your souls [that rest is the land of new Canaan]…
Remember, the fault was not with the covenant but with man (refer to Hebrews 8:8), and that is why the son of Aluahim was sacrificed. We are still expected to keep the everlasting covenant Law (Torah) and to teach men to also do so (refer to Matthew 5:19).
On the evening that Yahushua commanded us to keep communion, He said,
“This is the blood of the Covenant”
– Matthew 26:28
We have learned that the word new is added in most Bible translations, and that Yahushua was, in reality, reconfirming the exact same covenant made with Yasharal in Mount Sinai. Yahushua is the Word of YAHUAH, so anything YAHUAH says in the Tanakh (Old Testament) will be supported by Yahushua in the Brit Chadashah (Renewed Testament). Let’s take a quick look at the time when Yasharal affirms the covenant with Aluahim. Moses writes,
Exodus 24:7-8: Then he (Moses) took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that YAHUAH has said we will do, and be obedient.” And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant which YAHUAH has made with you according to all these Words.”
The fruit of the vine represents the covenant blood sprinkled on us. Yahushua was simply restating the words written by Moses. When we perform communion we are saying, “All that YAHUAH has said we will do, and be obedient”.
The fruit of the vine represents the covenant blood sprinkled on us. When we perform communion we are saying, “All that YAHUAH has said we will do, and be obedient”. The fruit of the vine represents the renewal of the same covenant made with Moses and the children of Yasharal. This current covenant requires blood on behalf of sin, and the wine is a symbol of that one-time sin offering sprinkled on those who promise to keep the covenant Law.
The new covenant will be established when Aluahim takes out our stony heart of sin and replaces it with a heart that follows after Him and keeps His Law perfectly. Therefore no longer needing a sin (transgression of the Torah) sacrifice. That is what Yahushua was referring to when he said that he would not drink from the fruit of the vine until it was made new in his Father’s Kingdom (refer to Matthew 26:29). This is that new wine; the new covenant, that will be made with the children of Yasharal after the thousand-year reign. This is what that the Prophet Joel refers to when he records the Word of YAHUAH saying,
Joel 3:18: And it will come to pass in that day that the mountains shall drip with new wine…
This is why Yahushua said,
Matthew 26:29: I will not drink henceforth of this Fruit of the Vine [representing the Everlasting Covenant], until that day when I drink it new [a new wine or new covenant] with you in My Father’s Kingdom.
Yahushua is using a parable to tell us that the covenant (represented by the fruit of the vine) will not be new until He returns. This is the day we are given a new heart, and the Torah (Law) is written in us.
We practice communion “in remembrance of Me”, as Yahushua puts it, to remind us of:
- His sacrifice
- To keep the Law (Torah), which is our side of the covenant or promise
- That in His Kingdom which is yet to come, we will be made perfect, live for the will and Law of Aluahim.
It’s important to understand that the covenant Law will not change in New Yarushalam, for we will only be made perfect and therefore no more fault on our behalf. We will still be expected to keep YAHUAH’S Law, but we will never transgress it because His Law (Torah) will be written in our hearts. There will be no need for a sin offering, because sin (transgression of the Torah) will be no more.
Now take note that Yahushua said, “poured out for many”. He did not say “poured out for all”. This is because his atoning blood was only poured out for those who strive to keep the Law (Torah). No Law. No sacrifice!
The reason why the Law is sometimes referred to as the covenant Law is because the keeping of the Law is our side of the deal. We keep the Law and YAHUAH grants us everlasting life in His Kingdom where we reign as priests and kings.
Keep in mind, the earthly sacrificial system and Levitical priesthood was done away with, but there is still a priesthood or priests of the Most-High YAHUAH. If we desire to learn how to better worship YAHUAH then it is our duty to take the role of one of His priests. This includes: declaring and blowing the shofar on Rosh Chodesh (New Moon days), Shabbat (Sabbath), and for the Moedim (Appointed Times/Feast days), learning the heavenly lights which give us signs of the times (prophesy) and when the moedim (appointed times, feast days) should be kept, and spending as much time as possible studying the Torah and the Prophets.
YAHUAH has always given His people an act or sign that declared to Him that they would keep their side of the deal or covenant. Abraham was given circumcision, in which we are still commanded to keep, and Mashiach gave us communion.
The wine represents Aluahim’s everlasting covenant, “this is my blood of the covenant”, says Yahushua. Mashiach say’s “my”, because he is the lamb; the one-time sin offering. In short, the covenant is to keep Aluahim’s Law; His ten commandments, appointed times, and precepts and ordinances. This is our side of the promise in order to be granted everlasting life. We perform communion to tell YAHUAH that we will keep His Law.
The everlasting covenant always pointed to the Son of Aluahim (Mashiach) as man’s Redeemer. We no longer need to sacrifice the blood of lambs and goats, and this is why Yahushua says, “do in remembrance of Me”. The very act of communion reminds us that Yahushua – our Lamb and Savior, died the second death for us. This means that everyone who chooses to turn back to YAHUAH and His covenant Law (Torah), will be forgiven of their shortcomings, because they have received the ultimate sacrifice; the blood of Aluahim’s son. The blood of Yahushua is not on our doorpost unless we physically show our faith by keeping YAHUAH’S Torah (Law). Mashiach did not die for us so that we can just sin willfully. No, he died for us so that we can be reminded of how important keeping his Father’s Law (Torah) is.
From Genesis to Revelation, the doctrine has not changed, the promise has not changed, and the covenant has not changed. The only aspect of the Law that has changed is the earthly sacrificial system which is now done away with by the blood of the one-time sin offering – Yahushua HaMashiach. But the Torah (Law) still stands. The wine represents the renewal of that very first covenant Law made with man, and then later re-confirmed through Moses and given to the nation of Yasharal (Israel).
We read,
Deuteronomy 4:40: You shall keep therefore His statutes, and His commandments, which I command you this day, that it may go well with you, and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days upon the earth, which YAHUAH your Aluahim is giving you for all time.
The everlasting gospel is to preach Yahushua crucified. This means to teach man to turn back from their sins (transgression of the Torah), repent, and keep Aluahim’s Torah (Law); His ten commandments, appointed times, and precepts and ordinances. If there is supposedly no more Law, then there would have been no reason for Yahushua to die the ultimate death. Remember, no Torah no sacrifice. Therefore, we keep the Law (Torah) as Yahushua did, and teach others to keep it as well (refer to Matthew 5:19-20). Yahushua tells us,
John 15:1: I am the true Vine, and My Father is the Husbandman.
He then goes on to tell us that,
John 15:5: I am the Vine, you are the branches: He that abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing.
Yahushua is commanding all of us who abide in Him to bear fruit, which means to preach the everlasting gospel. And what does it mean to abide in Mashiach?
John 15:10: If you keep My commandments, you shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.
For more information on the Torah and what was nailed to the cross, please read the article, Should Followers of The Messiah Keep The Torah? And, for a deeper study on the time YAHUAH will write His Law on our heart, please read the article, A New Heart, Spirit, and Mind.
The Wine
Matthew 26:28: And He took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, Drink you all of it; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many [those who strive to keep the Torah] for the forgiveness of sins [transgression of the Torah].
Now we can discuss whether or not it was alcoholic (fermented) wine or non-alcoholic wine (grape juice) that was consumed by Yahushua and His disciples on this specific evening. Yahushua says,
Matthew 26:29: I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.
Yahushua purposely does not use the Greek word oinos (wine) to describe the grape juice that He and His disciples were drinking that evening. Instead, He makes sure that there are no discrepancies since at that time the Romans used the same word oinos to describe both fermented wine (alcohol) and unfermented wine (grape juice).
Yahushua, being perfect in keeping the Torah (Law) of His Father, would have never defiled His body with fermented wine nor strong drink. Our brother Paul says this about our Savior and High Priest, “For such an High Priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens” (Hebrews 7:26). Even when Yahushua was in agony on the cross, He did not drink wine to ease His pain. “They gave Him wine to drink mingled with gall: and when He had tasted it, He would not drink” (Matthew 27:34).
The “fruit of the vine” as Yahushua puts it, was unfermented wine or grape juice, also called new wine, because it was freshly harvested off the vine. New wine is what the Hebrews called grape juice. The prophet writes,
Isaiah 65:8: Thus says YAHUAH, As the new wine (tirosh) is found in the cluster, and one says, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for My servants’ sakes, that I may not destroy them all.
The Hebrew words used for new wine or what we call grape juice are tirosh and asis. These are Strong’s Concordance number 8492, tirosh: fresh, sweet or new wine. And Strong’s Concordance number 6071, asis: fresh grape juice, new sweet wine. When speaking about fermented or alcoholic wine, the Hebrews used the word yayin.
When speaking in parables Yahushua says,
Mark 2:22: And no man puts new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.
This new wine that Yahushua is referring to is freshly harvested grape juice, and the old wine bottles He is referring to were previously used for fermented wine (alcoholic wine). In the process of fermentation gases build up, and the old wine bottles would break because it could not expand under the pressure and thus, “the wine is spilled and the bottles are broken”.
For more information about this topic, please read the article, Should Followers of The Messiah Drink Alcohol?
The communion wine represents the purity of Aluahim’s Word, and His perfect covenant, and therefore would have not been fermented (leavened – representing sin) or alcoholic wine.
No follower of Mashiach should ingest any type of alcoholic beverage or mind altering drug of any sort. With that said, anyone who performs communion with alcoholic wine and unleavened bread are partaking wrongfully. Also, anyone who performs communion without truly converting, striving to keep YAHUAH’S (Torah) Law, are partaking unworthily. Paul tells us,
1 Corinthians 11:29: For those who eat and drink [practice communion] without discerning (diakrino) the body eat and drink judgment on themselves.
The Greek word used for discerning is Strong’s Concordance number 1252, diakrino. Helps Word Study says this about diakrino: properly, investigate (judge) thoroughly – literally, judging “back-and-forth” which can either (positively) refer to close-reasoning (discrimination) or negatively “over-judging” (going too far, vacillating). Only the context indicates which sense is meant. Diakrínō “literally means, ‘to separate throughout or wholly’ (dia, ‘asunder,’ krinō, ‘to judge,’ from a root kri, meaning ‘separation’), then, to distinguish, decide” (Vine, Unger, White, NT, 125).
We are told.
2 Corinthians 6:17: Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says YAHUAH. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.
We must learn to separate that which is holy from the unholy. We must know that the bread represents those who make up Mashiach’S church, and that the fruit of the vine represents His perfect covenant with man. We must recognize that the Body of Mashiach is to be separate from the rest of this sinful world. We must strive to keep the Torah (Law) of Aluahim, and teach others to also do so (refer to Matthew 5;19).
It is very important that we understand the significance along with the proper way to perform communion, because if it is done wrongfully, then we are condemning ourselves to eternal damnation.
We are reminded that,
Hosea 4:6: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you will be no priest to Me: seeing you have forgotten the Torah (Law) of your Aluahim, I will also forget your children.
So let us practice communion with the intent to show our Creator that we have not forgotten His everlasting promise to bring us into the land of New Canaan if we strive to keep His Torah; His ten commandments, His appointed times, and His precepts and ordinances.
