-Gold and other precious metals
-Natural Resources like air and water
-Different foods
-Purebred pets

The degree of purity in these examples is indicated by several traits.

-Unmixed with any inferior matter
-Spotless, stainless
-Free from pollutants

Of the examples I’ve given, those that have the highest degree of purity have the greatest value. There are often very detailed scales that are used to measure the purity of these examples in order to apply a certain value to various levels of purity.

These scales are often based on a benchmark of purity, or a perfect example of purity in each case. 100% pure is a very positive description of many valuable things in life.

The examples I’ve given apply to the characteristic of purity in physical objects. However, as Christians we strive to apply the physical definition of purity to our spiritual state. We are taught to strive for pure hearts and minds.

Fortunately we have a benchmark to strive for, as well. It is the reason that we are gathered around these emblems this morning. Our bench mark for perfect purity of heart and mind is Jesus Christ.

Jesus was truly a “Lamb without Blemish and without spot”. (I Peter 1:19). He lived his life wholly focused on the will of His Father. He taught us how to live as children of God while in the world. And most importantly, what we remember at this time, he gave his blood to cover our impurities, our sins.

Even these emblems that Jesus selected to remind us of his sacrifice remind us of his purity. Christ ate of the unleavened bread and drank from the cup of wine, saying “Do this in remembrance of me”.

For this reason, it would be wrong to partake of bread slathered in peanut butter or drink from the cup of fruit punch. Although containing the base emblems, these items would distract us from the purity of Christ and His sacrifice. For this reason, we eat and drink from the simple emblems that Jesus has commanded us to: The unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine.

Before we partake of the emblems, here are a couple of passages on the importance of Christ’s perfect purity for us:

“But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:11-14)

“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)

It took the perfect purity in Jesus’ life to allow us to cover ourselves with his purifying blood in order to be made suitable to dwell in heaven. Let us remember these things as we partake of these emblems.