There were some interesting funeral rites during Bible times. A body was wrapped from head to foot. Then it was carried to the place of burial. The bier on which the body was carried was followed by mourners. These mourners normally cried loudly to express their grief. The body was then put in a grave, which many times was a cave if the person was wealthy. The funeral procession would then return toward home, but it would pause from time to time to allow people to comfort the relatives. The day was then concluded by a funeral feast. This feast included the “bread of mourners” and the “cup of consolation.” The feast is referenced in 2 Samuel 3:35; Jeremiah 16:7 and Hosea 9:4.
There are several aspects of the Lord’s Supper. It was given to us by Jesus to remember His self-sacrifice for us. The bread is representative of His body. The grape juice is representative of His blood. In one way, we can look at the Lord’s Supper as a funeral feast. We should have some mourning as we partake of it. It is because of our sins that our Lord had to die a horrible death on the cross (Matthew 5:4). We should also have great consolation. Because he died and was resurrected, we have the hope of living eternally with God in heaven (Hebrews 6:18). As you worship and observe the Lord’s Supper, think about the significance of the “bread of mourners” and the “cup of consolation,” and if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.
