Today, the Lord’s Day, in sound biblical churches all over the country many church leaders will say something that is simply not true, and, in fact, is seriously wrong. I know because I did this myself for many years until I saw the grievous error of my ways, and I hear it done on a regular basis.

As they celebrate the Lord’s Supper, someone is likely to say, as they offer the bread to the congregation: “The Lord’s body, broken for you”. Or, supposedly quoting the words of the Saviour himself, “This is my body which is broken for you.”

The problem is that Jesus never said that and his body was not broken, but this is much, much more than semantics.

It was an Old Testament stipulation that no sacrifice offered to God could have any broken bones, as in Exodus 12:46 – “you shall not break any of its bones”, and Numbers 9:12 – “they shall leave none of it until the morning, nor break any of its bones”.

When Jesus’ died on the cross, instead of the usual practice of clubbing his legs to ensure he was dead, the Roman soldier pierced his side. John records in his gospel: “But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water…..For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: ‘Not one of his bones will be broken’ “ (John 19:34 and 36; emphasis mine)

When Jesus celebrated the Last Supper on the night of his betrayal, he said to his disciples, “This is my body, which is given for you.” (Luke 22:19; emphasis mine). And when Paul passes on what he had received from the risen Lord himself, he says, “This is my body which is for you”. (1 Corinthians 11:24; emphasis mine)

Notice – there’s no mention of ‘broken’ anywhere, because the fact that not one of Jesus’ bones were broken is yet another fulfilment of one of the many prophecies made in Scripture about his death.

So brothers, please, please do not mis-speak at the Lord’s Table. Celebrate the truth!