LORD’S DAY, OCTOBER 21
1 Corinthians 10:14-17
Luke 22:19-20

“The cup of blessing …
The bread which we break ...”

THE MEANING OF THE LORD’S SUPPER (I)

The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was instituted just before the death of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (Matt 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20). As a sacrament, it does not save, but it serves as an outward symbol of our inward faith.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 96 gives a succinct answer on the meaning of the Lord’s Supper: “The Lord’s Supper is a sacrament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to Christ’s appointment, his death is shewed forth; and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of his body and blood, with all his benefits, to their spiritual nourishment, and growth in grace.”

As we eat of the bread and drink of the cup by faith, the Bible tells us that we are communing with Him. Read 1 Corinthians 10:16. The word “communion” here is koinōnia, which indicates a relationship as characterised by fellowship, mutual sharing and contribution, and identification (Friberg).

When we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we are identifying ourselves with Christ and His death on the cross. We acknowledge and confess that He is our Substitute and propitiation for our sins. The eating of the bread and drinking of the cup thus indicate that we belong to Christ and Christ belongs to us. We have a covenant relationship with Christ and desire to have fellowship with Him.

As the Lord’s Supper is a spiritual exercise, it behoves us to observe it with much soberness. The abuse of the Lord’s Supper can lead to dire consequences (1 Cor 11:27-30). Let every believer regard this sacrament with utmost seriousness.

THOUGHT: The Lord’s Supper is a time of communion with Christ.
PRAYER: Father, I thank Thee for every remembrance of Thy Son’s death.