Was it the eating of bread and wine that would cleanse the many or was it Jesus death and blood that secured the covenant to forgive sins?
It was his death and blood.
Just as the Passover meal (sadir meal) was a remembrance of Egypt, so Jesus shed blood is a remembrance of atonement for the elect.
The meal itself was not magical. It did not save anyone. It did not forgive anyone. It was a meal, which Jesus established to remember what his death and blood accomplished as a covenant with his chosen people.
Matthew 26:26-29 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
You have created a mystical magic that is not supported in scripture. You have made symbolic events into magical moments. God does not dabble in magic in order to save. God does not need your incantations and rituals for him to secure his chosen people.
But, God has commissioned memorials because he knows we are short sighted and weak in memory. He thus ordains memorials for us in both communion and baptism so that we can remember the work he accomplished, entirely without our assistance.
It's Jesus' promise of the forgiveness of sins connected to the physical elements of bread and wine. I have not created a mystical fantasy or whatever you called it, I have cited a mystery found in Scripture.
Perhaps this excerpt from Luther's Small Catechism will help you to see the truth. Granted only God can cure your spiritual blindness, but perhaps this will plant a seed.
The Sacrament of the Altar
As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household.
What is the Sacrament of the Altar?
It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, for us Christians to eat and to drink, instituted by Christ Himself.
Where is this written?
The holy Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and St. Paul, write thus:
Our Lord Jesus Christ,*the same night in which He was betrayed,*took bread: and when He had given thanks,*He brake it,*and gave it to His disciples,*and said,*Take,*eat; this is My body,*which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.
After the same manner also He took the cup,*when He had supped,*gave thanks,*and gave it to them,*saying,*Take,*drink ye all of it. This cup is the new testament in My blood,*which is shed for you for the remission of sins. This do ye,*as oft as ye drink it,*in remembrance of Me.
What is the benefit of such eating and drinking?
That is shown us in these words:*Given,*and shed for you,*for the remission of sins; namely, that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.
How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things?
It is not the eating and drinking, indeed, that does them, but the words which stand here, namely:*Given,*and shed for you,*for the remission of sins. Which words are, beside the bodily eating and drinking, as the chief thing in the Sacrament; and he that believes these words has what they say and express, namely, the forgiveness of sins.
Who,*then,*receives such Sacrament worthily?
Fasting and bodily preparation is, indeed, a fine outward training; but he is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words:*Given,*and shed for you,*for the remission of sins.
But he that does not believe these words, or doubts, is unworthy and unfit; for the words*For you*require altogether believing hearts.
