The Lord's supper, Richard Chapman

 The Lord's Supper

Richard Chapman

Introduction

The Lord's Supper, also called communion or the Eucharist (meaning "thanksgiving” in Greek), holds deep significance for a believer and should not be underestimated. More than just a memorial to remember Jesus' death and resurrection, the Lord's supper is also a declaration of one's continual dependence upon Christ's life and a regular reminder of His return.

Historical Background

Observance of the Lord's supper began when Jesus initiated it at His last meal before His death with His disciples. The apostle Paul wrote about this event in 1 Corinthians 11:23- 29, “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.' Then 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, for whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes'. Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord, eats and drinks judgment on himself.”

The Lord's supper involves partaking of two elements,, bead and grape juice (or wine) and is preceded by a blessing or prayer of thanksgiving. The Bible reveals some deep truths about the two elements of communion.

The Bread, Representing the body of Jesus

By partaking of the bead in communion, we acknowledge that Jesus is our source of life. Indeed, He is the Bread of Life where by we may satisfy our spiritual hunger, He said, “here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. In anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:50). Bread signifies life, so when Jesus broke the unleavened bead and gave it to His disciples He illustrated that His body (life) would be broken in order that they might have life.

The broken body of Jesus also ushered in the new covenant, signified by the temple veil tearing in two. Paul said in Hebrews, “therefore brothers, 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) This “new and living way” is by His spirit, allowing us to approach God with a heart made pure by the blood of Jesus. The resurrected body of Jesus validates the new covenant, because the same Holy Spirit that raised up Jesus from the dead is the same Spirit dwelling in the children of God (see Romans 8:11).

The breaking of bread with other believers signifies fellowship with the Body of Christ and unity by the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:42). The body of Christ is strengthened and Jesus is glorified when the body serves one another in humility and shares blessings in selfless love. “For we veing many are one bread, and one body; for we are all partakers of that one Bread[Jesus] (1 Corinthians 10:17)

The Cup. Representing the Blood of Jesus

The symbol of a cup represents a measure of portion, and blood signifies suffering and death. Blood is the life of the body, but when it is poured out, death occurs (Leviticus 17:11). The Father gave Jesus a cup of suffering to drink, requiring Him to be the sacrificial Lamb of atonement for sin and to pour out His sinless blood through a torturous death; for only the shed blood of Jesus can cleanses and make permanent atonement for all sin. (1 John 1:7).

Jesus cried out in Gethsemane, “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:36) Jesus submitted Himself to is Gather's will and drank the terrible cup of wrath for our sin “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

By partaking of the communion cup, we commit to follow Jesus no matter the cost. Jesus drank the cup of God's wrath for our sin, be we are to partake in His sufferings for righteousness' sake. Jesus said, “If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). Paul knew from experience that all who “live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2Timothy 3:12)

Peter encouraged believers to respond to suffering even as Christ did: “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 'He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.' When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:21-23).

The Lord's supper gives believers the opportunity to identify ourselves with Jesus, and show that we are willing to experience both His life (power) and death (suffering) in our daily walk. The apostle Paul said it, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10-11). Just as the Passover was a symbol of the old covenant, so the Lord's supper is a symbol of the new. Christians remember the sacrificial death of Jesus for our sin (bondage) while anticipating the fulfillment of our salvation in the Kingdom of Heaven (Promised Land). King David knew only the old covenant yet by faith he declared, “I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD” (Psalm 116:13)

Biblical Warnings

Because of the significance of identifying when Christ in communion, those who profess to be Christians but live according to the world should question their participation until they are able to fully commit to follow Christ daily. Everyone should examine his own heart prior to partaking in the Lord's supper to be certain of a pure conscience toward God. “Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself” (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).

Although we should certainly rejoice and celebrate the finished work of Christ's death and resurrection, be sure we also “walk worthy of God, who has called you unto his kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:12). Eating and drinking unworthily has to do with trying to identify with Christ but elsewhere living like the world. We are warned to turn from sin so as not to come under judgment.

Paul understood that the purpose of the Lord's supper was to remember Christ and his example of love and servant-hood. Whenever they body of Christ comes together, there should be unity.

Bond of Fellowship

Communion illustrates fellowship with the Lord and with His Body. We read: “Our fellowship is with the Father and His son Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:9, 1 John 1:3)

“Our fellowship is through the Holy Ghost” (2 Corinthians 13:1, Philippians 2:1).

So precious is the bond of fellowship portrayed in communion that it cannot be shared with the world. Paul said, “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord's Table and the table of demons.” (1 Corinthians 10:21) No one can serve two masters (see Luke 16:13), neither can a person keep idols in hes heart while fellowshipping with the Lord. Some may pretend to do so, he the scripture says, “You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” (James 4:4)

Looking ahead

The Lord's supper is a time to anticipate the day when we will see our Lord face to face. Just as He said “I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom.” (Matthew 26:29)

How often should we observe communion? There is no biblical guideline. In light of Jesus' instruction to do it in remembrance of Him and Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 11, communion should be held periodically as a reminder of believers' mutual fellowship with the Lord and with one another. A general guideline would be to take communion often enough that we benefit from the reminder but not to let it be routine (without significance).

Is it okay to use alcoholic wine in communion? The Biblical mandate here is this “It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.” (Romans 14:21) While some have the liberty to drink wine on occasion we are not to be drunk with wine (Ephesians 5:18 and 1 Timothy 5:23). Others count it as sin. A believer who has the liberty to drink wine with a pure conscience should “take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak” (1 Corinthians 8:9). We are to consider others ahead of ourselves. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31). Those who prepare the communion should be sensitive to the weaknesses of those they serve.

Conclusion

The Lord's supper is a symbol of the new covenant we have with God by Christ Jesus. This covenant is the '”new and living way” whereby we follow God's law written on our hearts by the power of his Holy Spirit. When we participate on the Lord's supper, remember not only Jesus' death and resurrection, but also reflect on the deeper meaning that He is our continual source of spiritual life.