The Thursday prior to Resurrection Sunday (the day before Good Friday) is called Maundy Thursday. The name Maundy comes from the Latin word “mandatum”, which means “command”, and the name was given to this day because of the new commandment that Jesus gave His disciples on the night of the Last Supper, to love one another as He loved us (John 13:34). Maundy Thursday is a holy day for Christians, as it commemorates the institution by the Lord Jesus of the Last Supper. The three synoptic Gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) give accounts of the Last Supper, and the Apostle Paul gives an account, as well. Today I thought we would take a look at his account of that sacred meal.
Most Christians are familiar with the accounts of the Last Supper given in the Gospels. Paul’s account is just a bit different, in that he doesn’t just relate the particular details of what happened, but also gives instructions of how we are to observe this sacrament. Jesus had commanded His followers to keep the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of Him and His sacrifice for us. However, it seems that even in the very early church, believers had forgotten the solemnity of what this commemorated, and were beginning to take it for granted and without thought. In our passage, Paul gives instructions of how this sacrament is to be commemorated.
Just as the Passover celebrated the deliverance from slavery in Egypt, the Lord’s Supper celebrates the deliverance from sin by Christ’s death. It looks back to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for our sins, and should be remembered with praise and thanks. It also looks ahead for when He comes again (vs. 26).
Different Christian traditions believe different interpretations about the Lord’s Supper. Some believe the bread and wine actually become Jesus’ Body and Blood. Some believe the bread and wine remain unchanged, but Jesus is spiritually present. Others believe the bread and wine are only symbolic of Jesus’ Body and Blood. All would agree, however, that the Lord’s Supper is an important sacrament of the Christian Faith. The bread points to the offering of Jesus’ Body “which is broken for you” (vs. 24). This shows the substitutionary nature of Christ’s death on the Cross. The cup of wine points to Christ’s Blood, shed for the forgiveness of our sins (Leviticus 17:11).
Paul instructs us that the Lord’s Supper should not be treated casually in attitude or behavior. It is to remind us of our need for forgiveness. We are told to examine ourselves for any known and willful sins. We are also told to “discern the Body of Christ” (vs. 29). Believers should recognize the sacred nature of the meal. Paul tells us to examine ourselves for sin, and correct it before coming under God’s discipline (vs. 27-32). We should confess our sins, and turn from them in repentance. Delaying this invites God’s discipline. Sin is not something that we can sweep under the rug and ignore. The Blood of Jesus is a symbol of our repentance from sin, and an acceptance of Jesus as our Savior.
The worship of God in His presence should not be taken lightly or casually. The Lord’s Supper should not be allowed to become a routine ritual. We should always remember what Jesus did for us, dying for our salvation. The sacrament should be held thoughtfully, worthily, and with reverence, done orderly, and in a dignified and worshipful manner. Paul warns that if we don’t, we are guilty of sinning against Jesus’ Body and Blood, sharing the guilt of those who crucified Him (vs. 27, 29). An unworthy manner would be in an indifferent manner, an unrepentant heart, a spirit of bitterness, where it has become a meaningless ritual. The Lord’s Supper is a serious sacrament.
The Lord’s Supper should be the meal we desire the most because of what it represents. It gives us continual spiritual nourishment. Eating the bread tells us that Jesus was our substitute. His Body was broken to pay for our sins. Drinking the wine reminds us of His Blood that was shed for our sins. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22). When we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, whether it is every week, once a month, or however often our church tradition celebrates it, let us remember exactly what our Lord Jesus did for our salvation.
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