“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’” – 1 Corinthians 11:23-24
Significance of the Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper holds a profound significance in our faith. It is an act of remembrance and a powerful symbol of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us. When we partake of the bread and the cup, we are honoring His body and blood. We are reminded of the love He poured out for us on the cross. This act calls us to celebrate our connection with Christ and each other in the body of believers, uniting us as we partake in this holy celebration.
1 Corinthians 10:16
“Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?” – 1 Corinthians 10:16
Luke 22:19
“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’” – Luke 22:19
John 6:53
“Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.’” – John 6:53
Matthew 26:28
“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” – Matthew 26:28
1 Corinthians 11:25
“In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’” – 1 Corinthians 11:25
Unity in the Lord’s Supper
At the Lord’s Supper, we participate in the communion of believers. This sacred meal symbolizes unity, bringing us together as one body in Christ. It encourages us to set aside our differences and embrace the shared faith that we have in Jesus. As we gather to share this feast, we acknowledge our collective need for His grace. It is an opportunity for us to strengthen our bonds and grow together in faith while reflecting on the message of love and acceptance that the Lord’s Supper represents.
Ephesians 4:4-5
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” – Ephesians 4:4-5
Acts 2:42
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” – Acts 2:42
1 Corinthians 12:13
“For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” – 1 Corinthians 12:13
John 17:21
“That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” – John 17:21
Romans 12:5
“So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” – Romans 12:5
Self-Examination Before Communion
The Lord instructs us to approach the Lord’s Supper with a heart of reverence and self-examination. It is essential for us to reflect on our lives, our relationships with others, and our relationship with God. As we prepare for communion, we should seek forgiveness and reconcile with those we may have wronged. This process ensures that we take part in the Lord’s Supper with sincerity and a pure heart, honoring the significance of the sacrament while embracing the grace offered to us.
1 Corinthians 11:28
“Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.” – 1 Corinthians 11:28
Psalms 139:23-24
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” – Psalms 139:23-24
Matthew 5:23-24
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” – Matthew 5:23-24
James 4:8
“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” – James 4:8
2 Corinthians 13:5
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” – 2 Corinthians 13:5
Jesus’ Authority in the Lord’s Supper
Jesus established the Lord’s Supper as a commandment from Himself, illustrating the authority He has over this sacred act. By initiating this practice, Jesus emphasizes the significance of His sacrifice and the new covenant He has created with us. As we celebrate and partake in the Lord’s Supper, we recognize Jesus as the true source of our salvation. He invites us to come to Him, assuring us of His grace and love as we embrace this ordinance.
Matthew 26:26
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’” – Matthew 26:26
1 Timothy 2:5
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” – 1 Timothy 2:5
Luke 22:20
“In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’” – Luke 22:20
Hebrews 9:14
“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” – Hebrews 9:14
Hebrews 10:19-20
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body.” – Hebrews 10:19-20
Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
Ultimately, the Lord’s Supper is a beautiful reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. It’s an observance that takes us back to the heart of our faith. Each time we gather to share in this experience, we are called to remember the blood poured out and the body broken for us. This act is not to be taken lightly but cherished deeply as a reminder of the lengths God went to for our redemption. It serves to strengthen our faith and keeps us aligned with His purpose for our lives.
Isaiah 53:5
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5
1 Peter 2:24
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” – 1 Peter 2:24
Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20
Revelation 5:9
“And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.'” – Revelation 5:9
Our Response to the Lord’s Supper
As we participate in the Lord’s Supper, it is crucial for us to respond with gratitude, worship, and a renewed dedication to living out our faith. This sacred moment challenges us to reflect on our commitment to Christ and to share His love with those around us. The Lord’s Supper encourages us not only to remember the sacrifice but also to be transformed by it. We are called to embrace the grace and mercy of Jesus and allow it to shape our lives, guiding us as we walk in faith as His disciples.
Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17
Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” – Romans 12:1
Philippians 1:27
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.” – Philippians 1:27
1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Galatians 5:13
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” – Galatians 5:13
Final Thoughts
The Lord’s Supper is a beautiful practice that brings us closer to Jesus and to each other as a family of believers. As we remember His sacrifice, we reflect on our unity, our need for self-examination, and the authority He holds over our lives. Participating in this sacred meal allows us to embrace our faith deeply, recognizing the significance of Jesus’ love. Each time we approach the Lord’s Supper, we are reminded of the commitment to love, serve, and grow closer to God and one another.
As we cherish the moments shared during this sacrament, let us strive to live out the teachings of Christ, seeking to serve one another and spreading His love. If you wish to learn more about the role of priests in the Bible or how to sacrifice yourself for others, I encourage you to explore those topics for deeper insights into our faith.
Let us hold dear the essence of the Lord’s Supper, allowing it to transform our hearts, influence our lives, and connect us as one body in Christ.