A Reflection on the Lord’s Supper: A Time of Remembrance and Unity
Good morning, friends! Let me start by sharing a reading from Psalm 150, followed by a word of prayer. Then, we’ll dive into our message for today.
Psalm 150 declares:
"Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; praise Him with clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!"
Let’s pray:
Thank You, Jesus, that we get to gather here and praise Your name. God, thank You for what You’ve already done here. Thank You that we’ve been able to worship You through song and that You’re bringing people with gifts to honor You. We’re grateful to worship You in prayer and through the giving of our tithes and offerings, trusting You with what You’ve blessed us with. Thank You that we can continue to worship as we open Your Word and observe the Lord’s Supper today. We love You, Jesus. Amen.
The Lord’s Supper: A Sacred Tradition
Today, we’re observing the Lord’s Supper, something we do every fifth Sunday. Our focus will be on 1 Corinthians 11, a passage that provides the most complete teaching on this sacred meal in Scripture. While other parts of the Bible—like the Gospels—mention the Lord’s Supper, 1 Corinthians 11 gives us a clear lens to understand its meaning.
In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, we read about the events of the Last Supper. John’s Gospel adds the beautiful moment when Jesus washes the disciples’ feet afterward. But why do we observe this meal? Simply put, we do it because Jesus told us to. In 1 Corinthians 11, He says, “Do this in remembrance of Me.” That’s our foundation.
From Passover to the Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper was instituted about 2,000 years ago when Jesus walked the earth. To understand its roots, let’s step back to the Passover feast, a celebration born in the time of Moses. In Exodus, we read how God sent Moses to free the Israelites from over 400 years of slavery in Egypt. After nine plagues, Pharaoh still refused to let God’s people go. Then came the tenth plague: the angel of death. The Israelites smeared blood on their doorposts, and the angel passed over their homes, sparing their firstborn sons. That event birthed the Passover feast.
Fast forward to Jesus’ time. In Matthew 26:17, the disciples ask, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” They knew the feast was coming. But that day, Jesus transformed it. He took the Passover and gave it new meaning: He is the true Passover Lamb. The blood on those ancient doorposts foreshadowed the blood Jesus would shed for the forgiveness of our sins. As Scripture says, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Through faith in Jesus—God in the flesh, born of a virgin, crucified, and risen—we are forgiven.
The Institution of the Lord’s Supper
Let’s look at how Jesus established this meal. In Matthew 26:26-28, it says:
“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.’”
Mark and Luke echo this moment. In Luke 22:19-20, Jesus adds, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me… This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” Jesus took the Passover and made it the Lord’s Supper—a new covenant of grace.
1 Corinthians 11: A Deeper Look
Now, let’s turn to 1 Corinthians 11:23-28:
“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.”
Paul wrote this to the church in Corinth, a group of believers struggling with how they observed this meal. He starts with praise in verse 2: “Now I praise you, brethren…” But by verse 17, his tone shifts: “Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse.” Why? Their gatherings dishonored God. Some ate ahead of others, leaving the poor hungry while others got drunk. This wasn’t unity—it was division.
Why We Observe the Lord’s Supper
So, why do we keep this tradition? Here are six reasons from Scripture:
- Remembrance: Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of Me.” We remember His sacrifice—His body broken, His blood shed for us.
- Appreciation: As we reflect, our hearts fill with gratitude for all He’s done—salvation, daily help, and constant presence.
- Proclamation: 1 Corinthians 11:26 says, “You proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” The bread and cup declare the gospel.
- Examination: Verse 28 urges us, “Let a man examine himself.” Are we right with God? Is there sin to confess or divisions to heal?
- Consideration: Verse 33 says, “Wait for one another.” This is a meal of unity, not exclusion. We love and include each other.
- Anticipation: We look forward to Jesus’ return. He’ll come back—maybe soon—and we’ll feast with Him in His kingdom.
A Call to Unity and Reflection
The Corinthian church missed the mark. They turned a sacred meal into a selfish feast, excluding the poor and indulging in excess. Paul calls us to something better: a meal that honors God and unites us as believers. As we prepare to partake, let’s examine our hearts. Is there sin to confess? Someone to forgive? A division to mend? This is a time to get right with God and each other.
If you’re a believer—someone who’s trusted Jesus and followed Him in baptism—I invite you to join us in this meal. If you haven’t given your life to Christ, I pray today’s the day you do. During our time of invitation, come forward. Let us pray with you, celebrate with you, and walk with you as you trust in Jesus.
Looking Ahead
As we sing and worship, respond as God leads. Maybe you need to pray at the altar, seek forgiveness, or commit to baptism. Maybe you’re ready to say, “I trust Jesus.” Whatever it is, don’t hold back. Let’s honor God together—remembering what He’s done, thanking Him for what He’s doing, and anticipating what He will do when He returns. Amen.
