This short piece appeared in the May, 1976 edition of The Christian Courier. It was written by Wayne Jackson. The paper was published by the East Main Street Church of Christ in Stockton, California and was edited by Jackson.
Question: Please explain Matthew 26:29. Will the Lord's supper be observed in Heaven?
"But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."
No, the Lord's supper will not be observed in Heaven. Paul shows that by observing the communion supper, we proclaim the Lord's death TILL he comes (I Corinthians 11:26). The inference certainly is that we will not partake of the supper beyond that time. Since the supper is in "remembrance" of Christ (Luke 22:19), it is obvious that we will not observe it after death, for then we will be with Him (Philippians 1:23; II Corinthians 5:8), and thus not need to remember Him. Jesus promised to take part in the communion in a "new" way (Matthew 26:29).
The word "new" is from the Greek term kainos, and it denotes newness of quality. In observing the Lord's supper, we commune (fellowship) with our Savior (I Corinthians 10:16). And it is in a spiritual sense that we commune with Christ in the supper. The promise of Christ to commune with the disciples in a new way was (and is) fulfilled in the church. And only those who have submitted to the conditions of the new birth (John 3:3-5; Mark 16:16) thereby entering the kingdom, are privileged to partake of the Lord's supper with His blessing (Luke 22:29-30).
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