In the church I grew up in, we had these shiny silver plates for the Lord’s Supper. There was one for the little wafers and one for the juice. Once I had become a
Christian at a young age I remember getting to do Communion. It was not until later that Communion became more than some religious ritual with bad tasting wafers and
became my regular reminder that Jesus loved me enough to die for me and that my sin put Jesus on the cross. Communion was my reminder that His body was broken
for me, His blood was shed for me–that while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me.
The Lord’s Supper is all about grace–the grace we have been given, the grace we continue to have and need each day, and the future grace that we will experience one
day in eternity.
Paul wrote a letter to a church in Corinth. And gave them correction and instruction in many different areas–one of which was the Lord’s Supper. They were supposed to
gather together as the ultimate show of unity–where the conservative/liberal, tax collectors/zealots, the rich/poor came together and shared together in the bread and the
cup. But instead, what happened was people were divided, drunk, upset as the Lord’s Supper. There was no grace. No impact from the Lords’ Supper.
THE LORD’S SUPPER SHOWS THE GRACE FROM THE PAST
“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.’ In 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.” 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NIV)
How is grace shown in the past? 2000 years ago grace was Jesus dying for our sins. Grace was given. And we receive grace when we commit our lives and follow
Jesus.
The sight, smell, taste, and touch of the bread and cup is a reminder of the grace given to us on the cross. Jesus’ body broken for you. Jesus’ blood shed for you.
The Lord’s Supper shows us the grace we have received from the past.
THE LORD’S SUPPER GIVES GRACE TO US NOW
“So then, 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. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:27-32 (NIV)
We are to examine ourselves as we take Communion, so that we take it in a worthy way. What does this mean? Paul didn’t write that we had to be worthy to partake of
the Lord’s Supper, we all fall short. But we are to partake in a worthy way.
The Communion is not for perfect people, but for people who are repentant. The Lord’s Supper reminds us that we need grace now in the present to keep our inner
experience connected with our outward behavior. It demands we examine ourselves, our relationships, our heart, and our love. Examining ourselves leads us to ask the
question: Do what I say I believe and the way I am living line up?
When we confess our sin fully, we receive abundant grace. We are to stop, pause and make things right in our hearts.
THE LORD’S SUPPER PREPARES US FOR GRACE IN THE FUTURE
“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:26 (NIV)
This verse is referring to the return of Jesus. One day Jesus is coming back to fix all that is broken. He will wipe away every tear from every eye. His justice will roll
down like waters. The future grace the Lord’s Supper prepares us for is the return of Jesus and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb “Then the angel said to me, ‘Write this:
Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ And he added, ‘These are the true words of God.’” Revelation 19:9 (NIV). At that time we will be with
