The thoughtful reader of last week’s article will be tempted to raise the question, “If you are so concerned about getting it right with the wine, why do you fudge when it comes to the bread, using leavened bread?” In fact, I remember a visitor approaching me after communion one Sunday visibly upset because we used leaven bread. He never came back.

…there are times when God specifically calls for sacrifices of leaven

The concern over leavened bread stems from two faulty premises. The first is the common misconception that leaven is always used as a symbol for sin in the Bible. To be sure it often is (cf. 1 Cor. 5:6-8; Ex. 12:12-14). But there are times when God specifically calls for sacrifices of leaven (cf. Lev. 7:13; Amos 4:5). Furthermore, Jesus uses leaven positively as an example of the spreading of the kingdom of God (Matt. 13:33). The second faulty premise is that leaven wasn’t used when Jesus instituted the supper. This assumption seems so common that it often goes without refuting. But it’s not really that simple, mainly because the Greek word that Jesus uses in Matt. 26:26 and the parallel passage is artos and simply means ordinary, everyday, common bread. It was, most likely, then, leavened.

Even if the bread Jesus used was unleavened, it would still not be unlawful to use leavened bread. “Ah,” you say, “but last week you said that it was important to use wine because Jesus used wine. Now you’re saying it doesn’t matter what bread you use?” Yes, that’s correct. Here’s why. Unleavened bread is still bread, grape juice is not wine.

In light of this, why do we continue to use leavened bread? For a couple of reasons. First, because it is an historically acceptable practice. The Western tradition (Rome) has chosen to use unleavened bread. However, Antioch (Eastern Orthodox) and many Lutherans continue to use leavened bread when they serve the supper. This is not a new or novel practice. Second, because of the symbolism. Leaven causes the loaf to rise and reminds us visibly of the resurrection of the bread of life from the tomb. Even as we remember the cross we do so in light of the resurrection. Finally, leavened bread reminds us of the spreading of the kingdom of God (Matt. 13:33). We long to see his glory fill the world and cover the earth. We long to see the gospel spread like leaven in bread.

Therefore, let those who are hungry come and drink and eat and be satisfied.

For further reading check out Robert Letham’s little book, The Lord’s Supper: Eternal Word in Broken Bread.