Seperate Thanks for the Bread and Cup?

From: Questions and Answers on Scripture: From the Bible Treasury

Matthew 26:26‑27; Mark 14:22‑23; Luke 22:19‑20 • 1 min. read • grade level: 6

Question: Matt. 26:26, 27; Mark 14:22, 23²²And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. ²³And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. (Mark 14:22‑23); Luke 22:19, 20¹⁹And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. ²⁰Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. (Luke 22:19‑20). Is it not clear that thanks should be given separately for the bread and the cup? And that reverence is due by doing so at the table? T. M.

Answer: Though spirit is far beyond letter, it is sad to allow a slipshod way with the Lord’s Supper. Even the Lord Himself, as all three Synoptic Gospels show, teaches by His action what is comely on our part. Nothing can justify irreverence or self-will. We have only to follow Him. As He took bread and gave thanks before breaking it, so He did with the cup. Why should any one depart from His example? Is it not habit, or carelessness?

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