2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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THE MEANING OF THE LORD’S SUPPER (I)
THURSDAY, MAY 14
Matthew 26:26-28
Mark 14:22-24
“Jesus took bread, and blessed,
and brake it.”
THE MEANING OF THE LORD’S SUPPER (I)
The Lord’s Supper is called the Lord’s Supper because it was instituted by the Lord Himself just before His death. The Lord’s Supper like Water Baptism is an outward sign of an inward grace. It is the external visible display of an internal invisible reality of our salvation. For example, when we go through the waters of baptism, we are publicly declaring what has already happened in our heart, namely, the washing away of sins, our new life in Christ, etc.
The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act. By way of illustration, the wedding rings which a married couple wear are signs and seals of an earlier exchange — the exchange of marriage vows. As forgetful people, the rings are needful reminders of the marriage vows that have been taken. Note that water baptism and the Lord’s Supper do not save. They are just outward symbols of an inward reality. Just like the wedding ring. A ring does not make a person married. The vow to each other did.
According to the Westminster Shorter Catechism, “The Lord’s Supper is a sacrament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to Christ’s appointment, his death showed 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.”
The institution of the Lord’s Supper is recorded in all three synoptic gospels in Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, and Luke 22:19-20. When we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we remember the Lord’s atoning work on the cross, and when we partake of it by faith, we receive spiritual help and blessing to live the Christian life.
THOUGHT: “The sacraments’ only aim is to make us look to Christ for everything requisite to our salvation.” (Calvin)
PRAYER: Lord, may Thou draw me closer to Thyself as I observe the sacraments that Thou hast instituted.