Lord's Supper, Part 1

Chuckle: "My wife and I always hold hands. If I let go, she shops!" --Red Skelton

Good Quote : "God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do." --Regina Brett

   On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant between God and you, sealed by the shedding of blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it." For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord's death until he comes again" (I Corinthians 11:23-26 NLT). Also see Matthew 26:17-30.

The Lord’s Supper reminds us of the events leading up to Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.  It is an ordinance of the church, instituted by Jesus himself the evening before his crucifixion, which is observed by the various Christian denominations and congregations.  It is called by different names: Lord's Supper, Last Supper, Communion, Holy Communion, etc.  However, for every Christian body of believers the observance of the Lord's Supper should be a worshipful experience.

What does the Lord's Supper mean?  The early church remembered that Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper on the night of the Passover meal (Luke 22:13-20).  Just as Passover celebrated deliverance from slavery in Egypt for God's people, so the Lord's Supper celebrates our deliverance from sin by Christ’s atoning and sacrificial death.

The Lord's Supper is designed to:

    (1) Remind us regularly of the death of Jesus. It's somewhat strange that those who have been saved by the shed-blood of Jesus would need a reminder, but that's the way it is.  We remember what he did and why he did it.

    (2) Remind us of the nature of Jesus' death.  By partaking of the bread and wine (juice), the Christian remembers the manner of Jesus death. It was excruciatingly painful and bloody.

    (3) Show Jesus' death until he comes again.  When he comes again to claim his church, believers will then enjoy Jesus' constant, and eternal presence and the joy he brings.

The Lord's Supper is important because:

    (1) It is an act of obedience.  There is little, or no, disagreement among Christians that it is a commandment to be obeyed.  Obedience to our Lord's commands and instructions is an indication of our gratitude and love for him.

    (2) It reminds us of the significance of Jesus' death.  He paid the penalty for our sins by his sacrifice of himself on the cross.

    (3) It is an act of worship.  It provides opportunity for reflection, confession, and repentance, as well as thanksgiving, and praise for what Christ has done for us.

    (4) It provides opportunity for Christian fellowship in worship.  By observing the Lord's supper together, believers show solidarity and oneness in their faith.

"We come to the Lord's Supper as sinners saved by grace, wholly unworthy of what God has done for us, but glad and grateful that we have been cleansed from the guilt, power, and penalties of sin. We claim not worthiness, but we claim the righteousness in Christ Jesus which is by faith, the righteousness of grace." --Millard J. Berquist

Christians generally agree that participating in the Lord's Supper is an important element in the Christian faith and that the Spirit of Christ's presence strengthens us spiritually. It is my hope and prayer that you will faithfully worship by observing the Lord's Supper regularly.  It can, and should, be one of the most fulfilling acts of worship available to us.

Love, Jerry & Dotse