The Sacrament

Choice 1: Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20. The Institution of the Sacrament

1. The Savior instituted the Sacrament the night before He was crucified, near the time of the Passover celebration. Many centuries earlier, the feast of the Passover had been instituted to help the children of Israel remember when the destroying angel “passed over” their houses and delivered them from Egyptian bondage (see Exodus 12:21-28; 13:14-15). The blood of the unblemished Passover lamb that saved ancient Israel was a symbol of the blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who redeemed all mankind. Review Matthew 26:26-29 and Luke 22:14-20. Then read the institute student manual introduction to chapter 23 (p. 160) and the commentary for “What Is the Relationship between the Sacrament and the Atonement?” (pp. 161-62). Write responses to the following questions:

 · What was the relationship between the Passover and the Atonement of Jesus Christ?

                The Passover feast was a commemoration of the Children of Israel being passed over and protected by God when the Egyptians were killing the first born of every Jew. The Atonement of Jesus Christ delivers God’s children from eternal bondage thus protecting them from demise of their own making.

 · What is the relationship between the Sacrament and the Atonement of Jesus Christ?

                The Sacrament is to be like the Passover feast was for the children of Israel, a reminder of the deliverance that was provided for them. I love what Elder Holland had to say about the sacrament and the Atonement;  Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles asked: “Do we see [the sacrament] as our passover, remembrance of our safety and deliverance and redemption?” (“This Do in Remembrance of Me,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 68).

                The Sacrament is a very real and regular reminder of the deliverance we have been afforded if we follow the Savior. What a blessing it is to have that as a weekly reminder and recommitting and repenting part of our journey here on the earth.

· How does John 4:13-14; 6:48-53 add to an understanding of the symbolism of bread and water?

                “ But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

                “ I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

The symbolism in the sacramental tokens remind us that those who partake of the gifts that the Savior provides will have everlasting life. What he offers it truly life-saving and life-sustaining.

· Considering the Savior’s instructions in Luke 22:19 and 3 Nephi 18:7, why do you think we are commanded to partake of the Sacrament weekly?

                The Sacrament is intended to be done in remembrance of the Savior and the sacrifices that he made for us. We need to have constant reminders to have His spirit with us always. The flesh is weak, it is His atonement and the partaking of the sacrament that gives us the strength we need to continue growing in light and truth. We need constant reminding.

 How does Mosiah 5:13 apply to this idea?

“ For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?”  When we do not have constant reminders we forget what we’re working for and the desires the Savior has for us to grow and change remain unknown.

 2. Carefully look at the additions and corrections in the Joseph Smith Translation of Matthew 26:26, 28 (see Matthew 26:26 footnote b, and Matthew 26:28 footnote a). Write responses to the following questions and tasks:

· What important truths do we gain from these verses of the Joseph Smith Translation?

·         He gave his body as a ransom for the debts that we could not pay

·         Those who believe on His name receive a remission of their sins

·         For the gifts we are given he asks that we observe and do the things that we have seen him do and bear testimony of Him even unto the end.

· What does ransom mean? How does properly participating in the ordinance of the Sacrament ransom us? (See JST, Matthew 26:26)  A ransom is a price paid for one who cannot pay it themselves. As we actively participate in the ordinance of the sacrament we renew covenants and promises made with our Savior, we take on his name to do as we have seen him do, and we commit to repent of the tings that keep us from doing his will.

· Make a list of what you want to remember about the Savior the next time you partake of the Sacrament.

·         We are all beggars in need of forgiveness and repentance. The sacrament is one way that we fulfill our responsibilities to come unto Christ and repent and be forgiven.

·         I want to do a better job of remembering Him and the sacrament is one of those times where I am able to demonstrate that remembrance.

·         Coming unto Christ is a daily action, a moving process and a growing experience.

·         He loves me. He knows me. And he desires to bless and help me. I need to work on staying out of the way of the blessings that he is trying to send me by thinking I can work stuff out on my own.