Lesson 226 . The Love Feast

Just before His death, our Lord Jesus established one very important tradition that became a rule of the New Testament—the Lord’s Supper, which in some places is called Communion or the love feast.

A will is drawn up by its owner before his death. And while the owner is alive, he may make corrections and changes to this document. But upon his death, the will takes its final form and is not subject to change. And anyone who decides to alter the will of the deceased for his own interests is a fraud or a deceiver in the eyes of society and God.

The Gospel of John was the last message to believers to enter the canon. In it, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, the apostle pointed out many details of the life of Jesus and those features of His teaching that we do not encounter in the other accounts. And if we did not have this Gospel, Christianity would be different. But when God sends light to His people, He does so not to increase our knowledge, but because He expects our obedience.

Jesus gathered His disciples for the last time to reveal to them very important truths that would strengthen them in the trials to come. The death of His soul was already breathing in His face, and He languished in anticipation of these torments; His entire human nature shuddered. He longed for the support and sympathy of His disciples, but they did not understand Jesus; the spirit of rivalry was seething within them. At the entrance stood a pitcher of water for washing feet, and a servant would usually perform this task for the guests, but this time there was no servant in the house. The disciples sat in proud silence, each considering himself superior, and they all waited for someone else to fulfill this role. Judas had already sold Christ and was waiting for his opportunity to play his part. And what could Jesus do for these unfortunate people? He rose from His place, took off His outer garment, took the pitcher of water, poured the water into a basin, and began to wash their dusty feet, one after another. The disciples were surprised and astonished by such behavior from their future King. It did not fit within their understanding. But Jesus loved them unto the end. Peter, as usual, began to argue about it, hindering Jesus from doing what He intended. But the Lord, seeing his lack of understanding, said: John 13:7: “What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.”

Many people likewise do not understand why Jesus washed their feet, but the following words of Christ became a rule for all His followers: John 13:13–17: “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” This command entered into the New Testament, and it is stated clearly enough that it should not be understood symbolically. Washing one another’s feet is a manifestation of obedience to God’s command and humility before one another in a spirit of love and forgiveness. In other epistles we read that this ordinance is preceded by preparation and examination of one’s heart. Repentance and acceptance of one’s adversary are necessary so that every grievance or feeling of malice may be removed from the soul. And when this takes place in the heart, foot washing symbolizes the cleansing away of all the dirt that has clung to us in our worldly cares. A very deep meaning is embedded in this action.

Christ still desires to come to each of us and wash our feet. Will I allow Him to do this? What will I say in response to His desire? Do not touch me!!! For I am unclean!!! And He will quietly repeat what He said to Peter.

And obedience to this command became part of the foundation of faith in Christ. For these words of His command possess special power in those who obey them. “Happy are ye if ye do them.” It is worthwhile to show obedience.

I am always surprised that many people simply ignore this rule for receiving Communion, as though it did not exist; but it does exist, and it was given before the death of Christ, and it should not be abolished. Of course, turning it into a theatrical performance would also distort its meaning, but obedience is very important.

Next came the partaking of unleavened bread and wine as symbols of the body broken for us and the blood of Jesus shed for us. The sacrifice had not yet been offered, and the disciples wondered what this meant, but they accepted these symbols and later understood what their Teacher had meant.

The bread had to be unleavened as a symbol of the purity of Christ’s character. The wine was not to be fermented and consisted of pure grape juice. In the Greek language, juice and wine were called by the same word, which meant a beverage made from grapes, but Jesus explained in Matthew 26:29 that He would not drink henceforth of the fruit of the vine until the day when He would drink it new in His Father’s kingdom. New wine is pure grape juice that has not undergone fermentation. An alcoholic beverage cannot be a symbol of the blood of Christ, for its use is condemned by Scripture. Moreover, fermented juice cannot be a symbol of pure blood. Isaiah writes about this in 65:8: “Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it.”

The blessing of following the rules of the Supper and partaking of its symbols entered into the New Testament and is an integral part of the lives of God’s children. And the Lord, through His Spirit, is present where this ordinance is performed exactly, to bless all those present with His love and grant them the blessings that He promised to His obedient followers.

The love feast and its observance are among the conditions of the life of a loving person. It is the recharging of our inner potential that greatly helps maintain the strength and proper functioning of the mechanism of love. Although this may sound strange in words, it is a condition that many find difficult to understand with their minds, yet it is worth observing, because in the unseen world all these ordinances and symbols have very great meaning and an effect that has not yet been fully revealed to us.

The body of Christ is you and I, united by one spirit into one living organism, while still remaining different.

The blood of Christ is His soul within us; it is the life-giving power that cleanses us from sin, gives us victory over every unclean addiction, and makes us clean in the sight of Heaven. The blood of Jesus is what the spirits of wickedness in high places fear most. This is God’s territory, which they do not enter.

If I distort these symbols through my understanding or inaccuracy in observing them, they lose their power and become a human tradition that has no meaning in God’s eyes, and they bring me under condemnation.

My rebellious spirit, with which I partake of this Supper while unwilling to cleanse my heart from sin, as happened with Judas, may also bring me under condemnation. The very presence of the betrayer at this ordinance teaches me not to prevent other people from partaking of these symbols by judging them according to my own standard.

Love loves to take part in the Lord’s Supper. This is its element, and it joyfully immerses itself in these symbols, drawing nourishment from Heavenly sources. Kind words, wishes of blessings, and tender embraces—all these are part of the love feast, bearing love and joy.

Homework 226

1. In the light of our lesson, please read Matthew 26:17–30; John 6:48–63; 13:1–17; 1 Corinthians 10:16–17; 11:17–34; Revelation 3:20; Galatians 5:13; and Philippians 2:3–4.

2. What did you learn from this lesson that was new to you?

3. Why is the Lord’s Supper part of the New Testament?

4. Do you observe this ordinance? How often? And how do you do it?

5. Why is it necessary to wash one another’s feet?

6. What should I do if this ordinance is not conducted biblically in my church?

7. What happens in my life when I show obedience to this rule and do everything exactly as it is written?

8. What do those who avoid taking part in the love feast lose?

9. May sisters take part in the Lord’s Supper? If so, why?