Reflections on the Lord’s Supper
22While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body."
23Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it.
24"This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them. 25"I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God."
Mark 14:22-25 (NIV)
In Luke 22:19 (NIV) “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
In Matthew 26:26 (NIV) “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NIV) “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day…”
Jesus would want us to consider these twelve things:
1. THE BODY: His body was beaten, broken for us: “This is my body given for you.” Lk.22:19. The enormity of willing sacrifice – his very real physical body undergoing tremendous pain, entering our hellish existence and He says “for you.” Sense Jesus saying “greater love has no one than this, that he laid down his life for his friends.”
2. THE MEAL : He wants to strengthen us: “Jesus took bread” Mk.14:22. Jesus chose bread. Lo-carb dieters may not appreciate it, but he took bread, pointing the need to depend on Him for life, for energy. This body given for us is for our daily bread, strengthening us, not a snack food but food that fills. Sense Jesus wanting to us to depend on him for life, daily strength?
3. RELATIONSHIP: He invites us into intimacy, “gave thanks and broke it, and gave it.” Mk. 14:22 Custom of the time – invitation to hospitality, task of head of household to break bread and invitation to enjoy his generosity, love, companionship, to be blessed. Today when people want to talk, relate – they say “coffee” or go for a meal. See picture of meal – sharing, joking, great time, enjoyment of another (no fists flying) and part of it all is eating. Sense the invitation of God into His generosity as he offers bread to us?
4. BETRAYAL: He offers the meal to betrayers: “Jesus took bread…gave it to his disciples.” Mk.14:22. Remember who he gave the meal to? Was it not Judas who betrayed him for money? Was it not Peter who denied him 3 times at his neediest hour? Was it to perfect folks that he offered this meal to? Have you felt you have gone too far from God’s grace? Sense the power of forgiveness of sins offered to us?
5. FORGIVENESS: “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Mt.26:26 Just in case we missed this fact, Jesus tells us explicitly the purpose of the blood poured out on the cross – “for the forgiveness of sins.” The blood of the covenant- language signifies God’s guarantee that He will never go back on His word, that forgiveness of sins is offered to us and available 24/7, if we eat of Him, drink of Him, depend on Him, having faith in Him. Stake your life on this! It is God’s solemn vow to us, an unbreakable promise, the sacrifice on the cross is FOR US. Sense the completeness of His forgiveness for you?
6. AGONY: His sacrifice was very GREAT. “Christ died for our sins” 1 Cor.15:3. He was the scapegoat, blamed for our sins, and holy justice demanded a price to be paid and God willed it that the Son will pay the price. The righteous suffered for the unrighteous. "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us." (2 Corinthians 5:21) The record states darkness fell over the land from the sixth to the ninth hour, presumably as the father caused the Son to drink the full cup of his wrath, the Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all (see Is.53). God the father turned away from the Son, agony of alienation from the One who had been with Him in eternity, was too much.
7. THE FUTURE: He wants us to remember this world’s MISERIES WILL END. "I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God." Mk.14:25. Jesus paints the picture of something new will occur because of the cross. There is a resurrection, it will not be a tragic end. There will be vindication, a new Kingdom, a comeback, a feast called “wedding supper of the Lamb” (Rev.19:9). So Jesus will endured the cross, for He saw the joy ahead, and he will wait for the bride (Heb.12:2). Sense the weight of this passing dying world of pain on you, see the future. Remember Jesus said these words to Peter who denied him “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust God; trust also in me…I go and prepare a place for you” (see context of John 14).
8. PAYMENT: “Ransom” is a word picture Jesus used to describe what He was willing to do: “For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 (NIV). God desires that none should perish, so He came to serve, and to ransom us. Big picture: we are worth the ransom price! Think of the ransom paid by parents to kidnappers for their children, they would pay, why? Because they are loved, worth the price! Throw away garbage thinking that you are not worthwhile! Jesus ransomed you! He loves you! Sense His love for you?
9. PURPOSE: The re-enactment of the Supper “do this remembrance of me” (Lk.22:19) give us a sense He wants us to live with a purpose and a hope to live for: To tell others sins are forgiven. We are to not to forget, but our memory fail us so often. Can’t remember where we put important things like our car keys, don’t we? Let us do this often, remember His purpose so we don’t get carried away with useless things, arguing about the color of the carpet, who did what and when like my little kids.
10. NO REJECTION: God set us up for life, not death, we are no rejects, or an afterthought! “God didn’t set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we’re awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we’re alive with him!” 1 Thess.5:9-10 (MSG) The passion of the Christ, the cross, is the answer of how a holy God can accept sinners (imperfection) into his perfect world. There is rejection in our world, but through what Jesus did on the cross, all are welcome in the name of the Savior and Master Jesus Christ!
11. FREEDOM IN CHRIST. Ever wonder as you celebrate Holy Communion with God what He really wants? The bible says clearly this is what God wants; “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess.5:16-18 (NIV). His will is for us to have life, His will is not for us to mourn His death, but to see His death triggered life for us, offering us access into His joy. His will is not for us to go on suicide bombing missions, His will is LIFE abundant; Jesus said “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)
12. THE POWER: The Good News is power of God at work for us! “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes” Romans 1:16 (NLT). Good news is this offer of joyful communion with a holy God, through the cross of Christ, in His powerful movement toward us. Choice is up to us it saves everyone who believes. Do you believe this?
Palm’s Sunday’s shout of “Hosanna” translated “save us” means nothing without the Holy Communion offered by Jesus. Without His blood and body on the cross, there is no saving! Do you welcome the king today into your life and really mean “hosanna” to save you?
Come to the table, the Master calls, inviting you to His table “Do this in remembrance of me.” The call is so personal, it is FOR YOU!
Struggling today? Come says Jesus, this body this blood is for you, remember His grace the price He paid for you to be renewed, to have hope, to have complete forgiveness, He will not hold back His love for you. Don’t doubt this love that God has for you, see the effort, the length He goes to win you back.
Feel wronged by others, hurt by others, pain caused by sin? Forgive them just as Christ forgave you. Give them good news of Christ! Good news is not only personal but it is a holy communion for others too. Deeply practical: it is to repair relationships, to heal, to release others of their debt, to actively do what God did for us. Remember the purpose of His sacrifice, "for the forgiveness of sins", do this in remembrance of what He did for us!
Come now to Jesus fully and unreserved.
