FOUR GREAT TRUTHS WE LEARN FROM THE LORD’S SUPPER
“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body."
"Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Matthew 26:26-28 (NKJV)
There are many great truths embodied in the Scriptures that refer to the Lord’s Supper. Four of these truths are abundantly obvious while other truths require deeper spiritual insight on the part of the reader. Let us give attention to these four great truths and the blessing they impart to our lives.
I. HIS INCARNATION: “This is My body...”
Think of this for a moment! The Almighty God of heaven: omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent and eternal...in human form. Yes, in human form, or else He could have never died! Consider:
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14 (NKJV)
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men."
"And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross."
"Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11 (NKJV)
“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law.” Galatians 4:4 (NKJV)
II. HIS SUFFERING: “He broke it…”
Oh, get the picture here! “HE BROKE IT!” Not Pontus Pilate! Not the Roman soldiers! Not the chief priests! Not the scribes and Pharisees! Not the murderous mob that cried “Crucify Him, crucify Him”! No, no… for it was He ALONE who broke it! Consider:
"Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father." John 10:17-18 (NKJV)
“Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him."
"When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’"
"Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.” Matthew 27:26-31 (NKJV)
“Surely He has borne our griefs. And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted”. Isaiah 53:4 (NKJV)
III. HIS SUBSTITUTIONARY DEATH: “My body which is broken for you”
One of my favorite hymns is “My Faith Has Found a Resting Place” written by Lidie H. Edmunds. All four verses thrill my heart but the chorus is an anchor for my soul. I rejoice when I sing: “I NEED NO OTHER ARGUMENT, I NEED NO OTHER PLEA; IT IS ENOUGH THAT JESUS DIED...AND THAT HE DIED FOR ME!”
Consider:
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed."
"All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:5-6 (NKJV)
“By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Hebrews 10:10 (NKJV)
IV. HIS INVITATION: “Take, eat”
This great truth provides an indescribable blessing. The invitation of our Lord is to all mankind to freely partake of the Bread of Life. It brings great joy to our own hearts that we can proclaim a “whosoever” invitation to the world.
Consider:
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV)
“Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
Then they said to Him, "Lord, give us this bread always." And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."
"But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” John 6:32-37 (NKJV)
