Figures of speech and the Lord’s Supper
I am home schooling my son and we were watching a video on similes and metaphors. While a simile uses words like "is like" or "as" such as "Joe is like a horse" or "Joe is as strong as a horse," a metaphor uses the word "is" such as "Joe is a horse." The first thing that came to my mind was the bread: This "is" my body, and the wine: This "is" my blood. And immediately my faith was shaken. Can you help me?
During his ministry Jesus certainly used figures of speech such as similes (Luke 17:24), metaphors (Luke 13:32) and parables (Luke 13:18-21).
When it comes to Jesus’ words of institution, understanding the context will determine how to interpret the meaning of his words. There is nothing in the immediate context that tells us to understand his words in a figurative way. He is speaking words meant to be taken literally.
The wider context of the Bible confirms this. In 1 Corinthians 10:16 the apostle Paul, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, asks: “Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?” His questions anticipate and expect the answer “yes.” So, yes, there is a participation, a communion, between the cup of thanksgiving—the wine—and the blood of Christ, and there is a participation between the bread and the body of Christ. Jesus’ body and blood are present in, with and under the bread and wine in the sacrament.
In the next chapter of that same letter, the apostle speaks of the real presence of Jesus’ body and blood in the sacrament when he writes: “So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 11:27). That verse highlights very clearly the four items present in the sacrament: the bread and wine, and Jesus’ body and blood.
There is no reason for your faith to be shaken. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Through his holy supper your Lord comes to you to strengthen your faith and to offer and give you forgiveness of sins. So be a guest at his supper often! Take to heart not only the words “This is my body…this is my blood” but also the words “for you” (Luke 22:19, 20). In the sacrament Jesus is giving you his body and blood to forgive your sins and deepen your trust that you are redeemed child of God.