Mar 23

Mar 23 The Lord's Supper

23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 NKJV

The Lord’s Supper commemorates Jesus’ last supper with His disciples before He was taken away to be crucified. (Matthew 26:14-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-30; John 13:1-30) When we participate in The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, also known as Blessed Sacrament; Communion of the Lord’s Supper; Eucharist; Holy Communion; Sacrament; Table of the Lord… we remind ourselves of the great sacrifice that God made for us. Yes, our salvation is a gift freely given to us by God, but it cost God dearly.

Sadly, when we become familiar with the story of God’s great love and Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross to save us from our sins, we can begin to take God’s love for granted. When we simply go through the motions we are in danger of missing out on what God wants to do in our lives. It is our love for God that motivates us to obey and follow Him. When we fail to appreciate His great love for us, we eventually fail to desire to live for Him. This was a problem even in the early church. This is partly what Paul is dealing with in his first letter to the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 11).

Examine Yourself

27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
- 1 Corinthians 11:27-28 NKJV

There is debate regarding what it means to participate in communion in an unworthy manner. My understanding of this is that you ought not to participate in communion mindlessly, it is not snack time. The Communion service is an opportunity for self-examination, humility, confession, restoring relationships, and for recommitment to God. Everyone who desires to surrender to God and receive His gift of forgiveness of sins and salvation should participate in the communion service. But if you don’t feel inclined to serve God, if you don’t have any desire to allow God to come into your heart and transform it according to His will, then you’re better off not participating.

Eating and Drinking Judgment

29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.
- 1 Corinthians 11:29-32 NKJV

When you participate in Communion, do not do it dishonestly. You may fool those around you, but God does not appreciate you making a mockery of the death of His Son. God sends the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin (John 16:8), and if we listen carefully, we know what we need to repent of. We know who we have to forgive, we know what we have to surrender to God. Please do not let this opportunity pass you by. Make the most out of this great gift God has made available for you at such an infinitely high cost.

Please allow God’s love, especially as demonstrated by Jesus’ death on the cross, to fully impact your heart. Do not change based on fear, but allow God’s love to draw you closer to Him, and to transform you into His likeness. When we judge ourselves and come to God for forgiveness, we do not have to fear judgment.

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
- Romans 8:31-35 NKJV

Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. No one can condemn us when Christ justifies us. But when we make a mockery out of Christ’s death, we insult God’s love. Though no one can separate us from the love of God, God will not force His love on someone who is not interested. No one can separate us by force from God’s love, but God allows us to refuse His love.

Communion is a great opportunity to increase our deep and sincere connection with God. God loves us more than we could ever comprehend. Why would we not want to connect with Him? Jesus died for us so that we could live eternally with Him. Yet, He invites us, never forcing us into that saving relationship with Him. What do you feel Jesus is calling you to do?

Is there something you have been wrestling to give up? Why not give it to Jesus today and ask Him to take it away?

Is there someone you need to forgive? Maybe you have been holding on to bitterness and anger for far too long. Why not offer forgiveness? Not because the other person deserves it, but because of what Jesus has done for you.

Last time we had our Agape Feast (Communion service) one person who participated at our church came by to talk to me afterward. They had messaged someone they had not talked to for over a year. They had been very close for a long time but a few years back they stopped talking after a big disagreement. All previous efforts had been fruitless but since they were participating in communion they felt like they should try one more time and to their surprise, the next day the person replied! The conflict is not solved, but for the first time in a while, there is hope of restoring an old relationship.

God is in the business of restoring relationships.

God is in the business of healing.

God wants to save and bless, but He will not force you. Do not miss this opportunity to examine yourself, to humble yourself, and receive fully what God desires to give you.