What Bread and Wine really means: Symbols of Covenant and Provision

The Symbol of Bread and Wine in the Old Testament

In the Old Testament, bread and wine were central to Israel’s covenantal worship, prefiguring their later significance in Christian theology.

The Bread of the Presence, also known as the showbread, was placed in the Tabernacle’s holy place (Exodus 25:30), symbolizing God’s enduring presence and provision for His people. Wine, used in grain offerings alongside incense (Numbers 15:10), represented joy and the sacred joy of fellowship with God. Both elements underscored the covenantal relationship, where divine sustenance and human gratitude intertwined.

These rituals emphasized God’s role as provider and the Israelites’ dependence on His faithfulness, with bread and wine embodying the tangible realities of His covenant love. Such practices laid a foundation for later interpretations of these symbols in the New Testament.

Jesus as the Fulfillment of Bread and Wine

Jesus redefines bread and wine in Luke 22:19-20, transforming them into symbols of His sacrificial body and covenantal blood. In this passage, during the Last Supper, Jesus takes bread, gives thanks, breaks it, and says, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me' (Luke 22:19). He then does the same with the cup, declaring, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you' (Luke 22:20). These words reinterpret the Old Testament’s sacred bread and wine as representations of His impending death, linking His sacrifice to the covenantal themes of provision and redemption seen in Israel’s worship practices.

By calling the bread 'my body' and the wine 'my blood,' Jesus reframes these elements as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s covenantal promises. In the Old Testament, bread symbolized divine sustenance (e.g., the manna in the wilderness, Exodus 16:4) and wine represented joy and sacred fellowship (Numbers 15:10). Jesus now identifies Himself as the source of true sustenance and life, with His body broken and blood shed as the means through which God’s covenant is renewed. This act replaces the temporary, ritualistic symbols of the old covenant with a living, once-for-all sacrifice that establishes a 'new covenant' (cf. Jeremiah 31:31-34), emphasizing forgiveness and an intimate relationship with God.

The phrase 'my body' underscores Jesus’ self-giving as both literal and symbolic, while 'new covenant' highlights the transformative nature of His sacrifice. Unlike the old covenant, which required repeated offerings, Jesus’ sacrifice is eternal, sealing the covenant with His blood - a concept rooted in the OT practice of covenants being ratified with blood (Genesis 15:8-18).

This redefinition shapes Christian practice, framing communion as a remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice and a participation in His new covenant. By following Jesus’ instruction to 'do this in remembrance of me,' believers connect to the OT themes of provision and covenant while embracing the NT reality of grace through Christ’s death and resurrection. The symbols of bread and wine thus become a bridge between the old and new, anchoring Christian faith in the continuity and fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan.

What the Bread and Wine Means for Us Today

The symbols of bread and wine in Christian communion today serve as a tangible expression of remembrance, unity, and participation in Christ’s sacrificial death and new covenant.

When believers partake in communion, they obey Jesus’ instruction to 'do this in remembrance of me' (Luke 22:19), centering their faith on His broken body and shed blood as the foundation of salvation. This act also signifies unity, as the shared bread and wine reflect the collective identity of the Church as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16-17), transcending divisions to form one spiritual community. Furthermore, partaking is an invitation to spiritually 'feed' on Christ’s sacrifice, drawing near to God through faith and renewing their commitment to the covenant He established through Jesus. Thus, communion is more than a symbolic meal; it is a meaningful participation in the ongoing reality of Christ's redemptive work.

Going Deeper

To deepen understanding of bread and wine as symbols, exploring diverse Christian traditions and theological reflections on the Eucharist offers valuable insights into their enduring significance.

For example, the Catholic Church emphasizes transubstantiation in the Mass, while many Protestant denominations view communion as a spiritual participation in Christ’s sacrifice. Studying Paul’s teachings in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 on the Lord’s Supper can further illuminate the scriptural foundations of this practice across denominations.