Transcript Slide 1

Christians and the Eucharist
To understand the significance of
the Last Supper for various
Christian Churches.
The Jewish Passover
The Jewish Passover
In order to persuade Pharaoh to free the Jewish
slaves, God sent Ten Plagues to Egypt.
 Despite 9 dreadful plagues Pharaoh refused to
release the Israelites.
 God threatened to send the tenth, most
destructive plague.
 Moses told the Jews to kill a lamb and put its blood
on their doorposts.
 During the night an angel came to every house.
 The firstborn son in every Egyptian family died.
 But, the Jewish houses were protected because of
the blood on their doorposts.
 That night the Jews were set free.
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The Last Supper
The Last Supper
Jesus was a Jew who celebrated the
Passover with his friends on the night
of the Last Supper.
 This Passover meal was a family meal
for the Jews the meal time was not just
about satisfying hunger.
 To share the Passover meal showed a
desire to offer peace and friendship.
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The Last Supper - The warning
about Judas
Three different things happened at the Last
supper as recorded by Mark.
 The warning about Judas – the first thing
Jesus did was to give a warning abut the one
who was to betray him. He was one of the
twelve who was present at the table. There
is no evidence that the other disciples
suspected Judas. Perhaps Jesus was making
a last appeal to Judas before it was too
late.
The Last Supper - The Words of
institution
The Words of institution – during the supper Jesus
said some words over the bread and wine. These
words are known as the words of institution (this
means the words spoken by Jesus over the bread
and wine when he celebrated this mean for the
first time)
 “Take it,” he said, “this is my body” –in using this
phrase Jesus speaks of himself as the broken
bread which is the fate of his own body. This is
given in sacrifice.
 Jesus said, “This is my blood which is poured out
for many, my blood which seals Gods covenant.” –
Jesus uses wine to symbolise his blood which will be
given n sacrifice.
(Mark 14:22-24
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The Last Supper - The Words of
institution
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In sharing out the bread and wine in
this way, Jesus was showing the
disciples that his body would be
broken and his blood would be shed
just like the bread which he had
broken and passed round and the wine
which had been poured out at the
table.
The Last Supper - The vow of abstinence
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The vow of abstinence (14:25) – these words are
normally taken to mean that Jesus is saying he is
going to die. This will be the last time he will pass
such cup round at any meal.
A second meaning could be the Jesus is saying he is
about to complete his work. His life now belongs to
god and his coming kingdom. The kingdom of God
will only be completed at the end of time. This
reflects the Jewish idea of the Messianic banquet.
Jesus will celebrate with his followers once again at
the end of time.
Links between Passover and the
Eucharist
Jewish Passover
Christian Eucharist
A lamb was sacrificed
Jesus’ life was sacrificed.
(Lamb of God)
Blood of the lamb saved the Jews
from slavery
Blood of Jesus saves Christians
from sin
A reminder of the covenant
relationship with God
Jesus started the new covenant.
Christians and the Eucharist
Christians believe different things
about the Eucharist because they
interpret the story of the Last Supper
in different ways.
 Roman Catholics have a Literal
understanding of the account.
 Most Protestants (Non-Catholics) have
a Liberal interpretation.
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Key words
Phrase
Meaning
Eucharist
This is a Greek word which means to give thanks.
It is used by all Christians to thank God.
Holy Communion
This phrase is used by Anglicans and Catholics.
It means to take part in a community.
Mass
Roman Catholic’s use this word. It comes from old
Latin words and reminds Catholics that they are
sent out to continue Christ’s mission.
Breaking of
Bread
Used by some Protestant Churches to remind
them of the actual Last Supper.
Roman Catholic Beliefs
Roman Catholics have a
Literal understanding of
the story of the Last
Supper.
 Roman Catholics believe
that during the Mass the
bread and wine are
changed in a miraculous
way.
 The bread and wine
actually becomes the
body and blood of Jesus.
 Roman Catholics believe
that they receive the
actual body and blood of
Christ.
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Protestant Beliefs
Most Protestants have a
Liberal interpretation of
the story of the Last
Supper.
 Protestants believe that
the bread and wine do
not actually change in
anyway.
 Celebrating the Eucharist
is about remembering
what Jesus did.
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Roman Catholic Practices
Roman Catholics and High
Anglicans celebrate the
Eucharist at least weekly.
 There is a Liturgy made up
of bible readings and
prayers.
 During the Liturgy of the
Eucharist an account of
the Last Supper is read
and the bread and wine
are changed into Christ’s
body and blood.
 The people come up to the
altar to receive the body
and blood of Christ.
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Roman Catholic Practices
Protestant Practices
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Non-Catholic Christian
services are informal.
Services are held
monthly or every
fortnight.
There will be readings
and prayers before the
Eucharist.
The bread and wine may
be passed around in small
glasses on trays.
The congregation eat the
bread and wine at the
same time to symbolise
the community who have
gathered.
Other differences
Some Christians use
unleavened bread
because Jesus would
have eaten unleavened
bread at the Last
Supper.
 The Roman Catholic
Church uses individual
unleavened hosts.
 Other Christians use
ordinary bread to show
the importance of
sharing a single loaf.
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Similarities
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Christians agree that:
 At the Last Supper when Jesus asked his
followers to share bread and wine he began
the Christian Eucharist;
 Jesus is present in some way during the
Eucharist;
 The Eucharist gives praise and thanks to God
for Jesus’ sacrifice and his resurrection.
Tasks
1. How did Jesus change the celebration of the Passover for his
disciples?
2. Copy the words of Jesus from Mark 14:22-24.
3. Describe how the Christian Eucharist is similar to the Jewish
Passover.
4. Explain what it means to have:
a) a literal understanding of the Gospel
b) a liberal understanding of the Gospel.
5. Choose two words or phrases used by Christians when
referring to the Eucharist. Explain the meaning of these
words.
6. Describe the Roman Catholic beliefs about the Eucharist.
7. Explain why Roman Catholics hold these beliefs.
8. Describe the Protestant beliefs about the Eucharist.
9. Explain why Protestants hold these beliefs.
Questions
1a) What was the Last Supper? (2)
State the definition from your glossary
b) Describe the Last Supper Jesus had with
his disciples.
You must retell the story using
information from Mark’s Gospel.
c) Explain why the Last Supper is important
for most Christians. (8)
You must write a paragraph for each of
the three reasons.