Should the Lord’s Supper have unleavened bread?

The question of whether unleavened bread should be used at the Lord’s Supper has been a topic of theological debate. This discussion primarily arises from examining the context and symbolism of the Passover meal, as well as the teachings and practices of Jesus during His last supper with the disciples.

In examining this topic, we will consider the historical and scriptural basis of unleavened bread in the Passover, the symbolism associated with leaven in the Bible, the importance of maintaining a Christ-centered approach in the Lord’s Supper, and whether the New Testament prescribes specific guidelines for the use of unleavened bread.

The Passover Background and Unleavened Bread

The institution of the Lord’s Supper has its roots in the Passover meal, which Jesus observed with His disciples on the night He was betrayed. The Passover feast commemorates Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, a defining moment in Israelite history. When God instituted the Passover in Exodus 12, He gave detailed instructions on the preparation of the meal, specifically commanding that unleavened bread be eaten:

“Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day, you shall remove leaven from your houses. For whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel.” (Exodus 12:15, NKJV)

In observance of this command, Israelites were to eat bread without leaven for seven days during Passover. This practice symbolized the purity and urgency of their departure from Egypt, as they did not have time to wait for the bread to rise. Thus, unleavened bread became a lasting symbol of the Passover, and by extension, of the covenant between God and His people.

Jesus and the Institution of the Lord’s Supper

When Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples, He used unleavened bread as part of the meal. The synoptic Gospels detail the institution of the Lord’s Supper during this final meal:

“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.'” (Matthew 26:26, NKJV)

Since this meal was a Passover meal, the bread that Jesus used was unleavened, in keeping with Jewish law. The unleavened bread of the Passover was thus repurposed by Jesus as a symbol of His body, broken for the redemption of humanity. This detail underscores the continuity between the Passover tradition and the Lord’s Supper, with the bread serving as a bridge between the two observances.

Symbolism of Leaven in Scripture

In Scripture, leaven often carries a symbolic meaning associated with sin and corruption. Paul, in his letters, uses the metaphor of leaven to warn believers about the corrupting influence of sin:

“Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” (1 Corinthians 5:6-7, NKJV)

Paul’s use of leaven in this context reinforces its symbolic association with impurity and sinful influence. The idea is that sin, like leaven, has a pervasive influence that can spread throughout a community if left unchecked. By linking leaven with sin, Paul further emphasizes the purity that believers are called to uphold, especially in matters of worship and fellowship.

When unleavened bread is used in the Lord’s Supper, it recalls not only the historical Passover context but also the purity and sinlessness of Christ. Since Christ is “our Passover” who was sacrificed for us, as Paul states, the use of unleavened bread aligns with the idea of Christ as the sinless Lamb of God. Just as the Passover lamb had to be without blemish (Exodus 12:5), so too was Christ without sin, and the unleavened bread used in the Lord’s Supper represents His pure, untainted sacrifice.

New Testament Guidelines on the Lord’s Supper

The Passover meal provides a clear precedent for using unleavened bread. Jesus’ command to “do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19, NKJV) emphasizes the significance of the act-remembering His sacrifice and sinlessness.

In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul rebukes the Corinthians for their irreverent approach to the Lord’s Supper, emphasizing the need for self-examination and reverence:

“Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” (1 Corinthians 11:27-28, NKJV)

The primary focus, according to Paul, is on the participant’s heart and reverence in partaking of the Lord’s Supper and the need for a respectful approach to its symbolic meaning of purity.

Should Churches Use Unleavened Bread Today?

Given the historical and symbolic background, many churches continue to use unleavened bread in the Lord’s Supper as a means of respecting the original context of Jesus’ last supper. The use of unleavened bread carries forward the imagery of the Passover and reinforces the sinless nature of Christ, the “bread of life” (John 6:35, NKJV).

Arguments for using unleavened bread often appeal to consistency with Scripture and to the symbolism of leaven as impurity. By using unleavened bread, these churches seek to maintain a symbolic representation of Christ’s purity. This choice aligns with the biblical precedent set by the Passover meal and resonates with the broader symbolic language of leaven as sin.

Concluding Thoughts

In summary, the use of unleavened bread in the Lord’s Supper is rooted in the biblical narrative of the Passover and carries deep symbolic meaning, particularly concerning Christ’s sinlessness and the purity that believers are called to pursue. The Passover context provides a strong historical basis for using unleavened bread.

The central theme of the Lord’s Supper is the act of remembrance and worship, as believers reflect on the profound sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the true sinless Passover Lamb. Therefore, the focus in churches should remain on honoring Christ’s perfect sacrifice according to the biblical symbolism.