Churchy Words: Lord’s Supper
The Story and Symbolism of the Supper | Matthew 26:17-30
The story of the Lord’s Supper, or Communion, begins in the verses we read together in Exodus. Moses is about to lead the people out of Egypt, but they will not get permission until the final plague occurs. Death is coming to Egypt. The Israelites will avoid the death plague, if they keep the Passover. This Passover festival will become an annual holiday for the Jewish people, a holiday they continue to celebrate today.
Pesach, or Pasca in Greek, is celebrated each year in the spring, and interestingly enough, in every language outside of English, it is the same name given to the Christian holiday Easter. Easter, Pasca, and Pesach revolve around the same time and center on the same theme—salvation and deliverance for the people of God.
So, how does the story of the Exodus become the story of Christ?
Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.
When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”
And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Matthew 26:17-30
The Lord’s Supper is directly connected to the Passover Supper. Just as the Passover Lamb was the sacrifice for the Jews to avoid the plague, Christ is the Passover Lamb who prevents death for the Christian. When Jesus takes the bread and wine declaring, “This is my body,” and “This is my blood,” He inaugurates a new meal with a very similar meaning.
Matt 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, Luke 22:7-38 all record that Jesus celebrated the Passover (Thursday night) with his disciples which became the Last Supper.
Jesus takes the bread and breaks it saying, “This is my body”. Jesus would very soon go to the cross and offer His body for the forgiveness of sin. Then he takes the cup and says, “Take and drink. This is my blood of the covenant that is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Just as the blood of the Passover Lamb was meant to forgive the sins of Israel each year, now Christ will offer His blood to be the final sacrifice for eternal forgiveness of sins.
The physical deliverance of Passover is a precursor (a type) of the spiritual deliverance that happens through Christ’s death and Resurrection.
At the Lord’s Supper table we look back. We are remembering Jesus’ sacrifice. The bread represents His body that was broken during the crucifixion. The wine represents His blood that was poured out. Just as the Passover Lamb’s blood was poured out to be placed on the doors of the Israelites, His blood is poured out and covers us.
It also is looking ahead. Jesus said He would not drink the cup of the vine again until we all drink it together in Heaven. Consider also in 1 Corinthians 11:26, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.”
The Lord’s Supper focuses our attention on the salvation that we have through Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ultimately in His Return.
The Significance of the Supper | 1 Corinthians 11:17-31
Is it more than a symbol? I have watched many Christians haphazardly take the Lord's Supper without much thought to its implications. Paul warns us to not take the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner. So what is an 'unworthy manner’? To discern this, let’s read through 1 Corinthians 11.
But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.
1 Corinthians 11:17-19
The Reformation brought many doctrines into question as the new Protestants dove deep into Scripture. One such doctrine is what happens to the bread and wine during the Eucharist. Unsurprisingly, the Reformers themselves were at odds to describe the event. That is why what we call the Lord's Supper, Catholics call it the Eucharist, other Protestants may call it 'communion'. What may surprise you is that the debate actually began much longer before the Reformation. As early as AD 787 Christians were divided on Jesus' words, "This is my body." It wasn't until 1215 at the Council of Lateran that the Catholic Church made the doctrine of transubstantiation Canon Law. After the Reformation, Christians are left with generally four options:
1) transubstantiation--the elements literally become Christ who is sacrificed again,
2) consubstantiation--Christ's body is present with the elements,
3) receptionism--Christ is present spiritually with the elements,
4) the memorial view--Christ is only present in the sense that He is always present with believers.
In the E Free Church, we allow for a variety of views regarding the nature of the Supper, but we do stop short on views that mix the signs and what they signify. For example, when we look at baptism, baptism itself does not save nor does it cleanse, in and of itself. Baptism is a physical rite of the spiritual truth of a new believer burying their old life and rising to new life. Likewise, though the Lord’s Supper signifies our joining with Christ, we are not literally ingesting Christ.
This is one of those issues where both parties can be God-loving Christians but still disagree. That being the case, it does not change verse 18—there are factions in the church, and Paul says that should not be. Compare it to chapter 1. Paul’s whole letter is about the division that has occurred because of the people’s sin. The church has members who say, “I follow Paul”, “I follow Apollos” or Peter or Christ. They forgot they were not baptized into the name of Paul, Peter, or Apollos. They were baptized in Christ.
Today, we are no different. I cringe every time I hear someone say, “I’m a Calvinist” or “I’m Arminian”, or “I’m this or that”. Church, we are Christians—“little Christs”—not little Calvins or Arminius-es, or Luthers or Spurgeons or whoever else we want to hold up. In fact, if we had any of those guys here with us today, they would echo the angels and say “Don’t worship me! Worship Christ!”
In fact, these types of debates only do the exact opposite of what the Lord’s Supper is for.
The Supper reminds us We are one body in Christ.
The Lord’s Supper is a call to Unity. We remember that Christ died for all of us, regardless of our theological leanings, it is Christ who saves us.
But it is not just theology that divides a church. Let’s continue.
When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.
1 Corinthians 11:20-22
The Corinthians were divided by socio-economic status. Some were eating and drinking their fill while others had nothing. It wasn’t even a Lord’s Supper any more. It was a ruckus. And it was all because they had forgotten, we are all one body in Christ. Social barriers disappear when we gather around the Lord’s Table.
There is another aspect of the Lord’s Supper Paul seems to be referencing here that is lost in our modern observances. The Lord’s Supper was not just the bread and wine, but they also would have a meal together. Jude, in his letter, references agape meals or love feasts. The second century theologian Justin Martyr describes the weekly service in his First Apology, and in this writing, he talks about the service which looks much like what we do today, but he also talks about the time in their gatherings when the poor would be cared for by the wealthier Christians.
The beauty of the Love Feast in connection with the Lord’s Supper is its picture of Heaven. Because of Christ, we can gather together and have our needs met—physical and spiritual. It is a small glimpse of what it will be like in Heaven.
The Corinthians had made a mockery of this picture because not everyone’s needs were actually being met. It was a false testimony of the provision we have in Christ.
The Supper reminds us all of our provisions are met in Christ Jesus.
And so, we must be careful in how we participate in the Supper.
Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged.
1 Cor 11:27-31
So what does it mean to partake of the supper in an unworthy manner? Is it someone who is battling sin? Perhaps, but when we remember the work of Christ on the cross, we remember “we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”. Look again at verse 31, “If we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged.” The issue seems to be more about pride than anything else. If you are sitting here thinking, “I’m a sinner and I need God’s grace”, then you have judged yourself rightly. The one who is unworthy to partake of the Supper is the one who believes they deserve God’s favor—for whatever reason. The Corinthians were focused on their own goodness and social status. Their pride had brought God’s wrath.
The unworthy person is not the one who is leaning on Jesus in a daily battle with sin. The unworthy person is the one who gave up the fight in favor of worldly pursuits.
The Supper reminds us we need God’s grace.
So as we begin the observance of the Lord’s Supper, I’d like to give you time to reflect. Paul says to examine ourselves, so let us examine ourselves now.
Ask yourself:
What is my pursuit? What are my priorities? Are they godly?
What sin am I battling? Am I leaning on God’s grace to fight it, or have I given up the fight?
Who do I need to seek reconciliation with? Do I have brothers and sisters in Christ whom I’ve wronged or been wronged by? Have we forgiven each other?s
Then, remember God’s grace—remember when He poured out His wrath on Jesus, His own Son, so that we can be saved. Praise Him and His mercy!