Bread and Wine

According to Herman Hoeksema in Reformed Dogmatics, Volume 2, pp. 390-391,

The elements of the Lord's supper are bread and wine.  The symbolism in these signs is plain.  The bread signifies Christ as the bread of life . . . (John 6:32-33, 35 KJV).  . . . The same idea  is expressed in Scripture when it speaks of Christ as the water of life (John 4:13-14; John 7:37-38 KJV).

It is true that in the institution of the Lord's supper Jesus did not use the symbol of water, but that of wine.  For this we can find two reasons: first, wine is the color of blood, and the wine at the communion table is the sign of the blood of Jesus Christ; second, wine is a symbol of communion, of prosperity and joy, according to Scripture (Genesis 14:18; Genesis 27:27-28; Genesis 49:10-12; Deuteronomy 33:28; Psalm 104:14-15 KJV).  Wine is the symbol of heavenly joy.  Therefore, it was very fitting at the wedding in Cana that the heavenly bridegroom changed the water into wine (John 2:1-11 KJV).  Thus we can understand that not water, but wine was used at the Lord's supper as the proper sign of the blood of the Lamb, by which not only our guilt is changed into righteousness, but also our earthly life is translated into the joy of God's heavenly tabernacle.

I should point out also that Hoeksema says that the Lord's supper was instituted during the Passover meal and that unleavened bread would have been used.  (Pp. 386-390).  The signs associated with the sacrament are essential to their being a part of the institution.  Hoeksema goes so far as to say that the Lord's supper replaces the the passover:

It is evident from all the synoptic gospels that the Lord Jesus Christ in the night in which he was betrayed instituted the New Testament supper to replace the passover.  (Pp. 386-390).

From:  Herman Hoeksema.  Reformed Dogmatics.  Volume 2.  First Edition, 1966.  (Grandville:  Reformed Free Publishing, 2005).  719 pages.

--

Reasonable Christian Blog Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost; Answer. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen. 1662 Book of Common Prayer