Partaking the Lord’s Supper
Matthew 26:17-30
* The Last Supper (or the “Lord’s Supper”) has been portrayed in a myriad of artistic paintings. Some artists have rendered this occasion as a festive time while others give the feel of a more solemn time. When we combine the gospel accounts, it would seem that both are correct.
* It was Passover week and this group of close friends were coming together to eat the Passover meal so obviously it was a time of enjoying a meal together. However, the ‘elephant in the room’ was the uncertainty of their future. Even though the disciples didn’t GET it and understand all that was to happen, it is obvious that they knew something was about to happen. As the events began to unfold, I would venture a guess that they understood this Passover meal would be one they would never forget.
* Today, we come to the Lord’s Table & my prayer is that this will be a time which will shape our lives. Certainly, the Upper Room experiences had a profound impact on the disciples—let’s turn to Matthew 26 and allow the word of God & its message to have an impact on us. (READ)
* Few things we do within the church have the potential to renew & restore our hearts like partaking of the Lord’s Supper. It is on this occasion that we come face to face with the sacrifice of our Lord & the sin of us, His people. Jesus raised the bar of this event as Luke recorded His words, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Paul emphasized the importance of this occasion when He wrote to the Corinthians, “Don’t eat or drink unworthily because to do so will bring severe consequences.” Let us allow the truth of the Lord’s Supper found in the words & heart of Jesus and Paul permeate our souls this morning as we come to the Lord’s Table.
* From our text, I submit that we need to know and do two things which the disciples did in the Upper Room on that first night.
1. Get Ready – I heard it the first time many years ago; “You will get out of a public worship service in direct proportion to what you put in.” That means this; if the only time you read your Bible and pray is on Sunday morning then, quite likely, the service will be dull, boring, with bad music, and horrific preaching. However if during the week, you spend quality time with God, walk in His spirit, & live in a way to honor Him, then the service will take on new meaning and life. Additionally, God will speak in ways which you haven’t heard in years. This is why I can feel like a failure in the pulpit and step off the platform only to have a person on the verge of tears saying, “This was meant for me today.” As Jesus faced Calvary He readied the disciples for what lay ahead. See these 3 thoughts;
Partaking the Lord’s Supper – Pg 2
a. Preparation – The interesting truth we discover is that both the Lord & His disciples were concerned about the preparations for the night. They were observing (or celebrating) the Passover & they wanted to be prepared. Every Sunday we gather, we are celebrating the Lord’s life & His gift of life. Do we come prepared? Last week, we mentioned that we would be celebrating the Lord’s Supper but the question is: What have I done to prepare for this special time? The apostle Paul writes to the church at Corinth that we better be properly prepared to partake of this Holy Meal or there could be dire consequences. Certainly, we have made ONE preparation in that we are “present.” Being present is only the first step in being prepared.
b. Examination – Now get this picture; the disciples had set everything up and now had come into the prepared room with Jesus to eat the Passover meal. Jesus then interjects a surprising thought (verse 21). HE says, “I assure you (I guarantee this, truly, verily, etc), one of you will betray me.” ‘Without a doubt’ one is us is not really ‘one of us.’ Can you imagine the dagger which penetrated the heart of each man there? There were ‘deeply distressed’ (grieved, sad, upset, hurt, deeply sorrowful) at these words, but look what they did. The entire group began a process of self-examination saying, “Is It I?” At this point, I wonder if Judas knew he had been discovered. This ‘self-examination’ is required for us every time we come to the Lord’s Table. Let this thought permeate our souls, “Which disciple represents me today?” Am I part of the nine who disappeared when trouble came? Am I like Peter who followed Jesus at a distance? Will my actions be lowered to the level of Judas who turned Jesus over to the enemy? Or will I be like John who stayed the course all the way to the cross? Let us never forget that ‘if’ we honestly judge ourselves then we can avoid being judged by God. However, if we refuse to examine ourselves, then the judgment of God falls on in the manner which Paul describes in 1 Corinthians. He writes we could become ‘sick, ill, and even die.’
c. Identification – This truth will disturb some but make no mistake, Jesus knows our deepest thoughts, our true motivation, & even our future. He knows what we don’t want to admit. After seeing the reaction of the rest of the group Judas, I believe, wanted to test the waters to see just how much Jesus knew. Judas could have thought that Jesus simply suspected and was trying to get an admission of guilt. Possibly he had watched in silence as the rest of the team expressed themselves. Finally there was only ONE person left and it was him all by himself.
Partaking the Lord’s Supper – Pg 3
* But it couldn’t be Judas, he was the treasurer, he was trusted, & he was truthful; or was he? I suggest these were minutes which seemed like hours as the questions flew around the room, “Is it I?” The intriguing point is that the guilty one was the LAST ONE to ask and when he did ask the question he framed it defensively. Although I haven’t seen the original manuscripts, it appears there is a word in the Greek (meeti
2. Get Real – I suggest that oft times we are tempted to come to the Lord’s Table unprepared even thinking that ‘it really doesn’t matter.’ After all, every church does this & we just have juice & bread so what’s the big deal? Well, according to our Lord, it is a very big deal. The Bible repeatedly tells us not to be deceived, and this is one HUGE time to apply this thought. We need get real about implications of this meal.
a. The Elements – The bread and juice are sobering symbols of a Lord who loved us more than we love ourselves. Think about this; He knows us better than we know ourselves and He loves us more than we love ourselves. Jesus tells us the bread is His body and the juice is His blood. These are representations of what Jesus did for us. (Watch-video)
b. The Emphasis – Jesus is saying, “This is what it takes to buy your salvation and save your soul.” The very reason we offer this meal to all who ‘have placed their faith in Christ’ is because it is my His crucifixion, His death, and His blood that we are saved. When Jesus spoke the words He attached a symbolism that will last for all eternity. What transpired in that room has power in this room today. It has the power to transform, to saved, to change, and to give security. BUT it also has the ability to condemn. It we are not pure. In the O.T. if the priest entered the Lord’s Presence without properly consecrating them death would come. The emphasis in the Lord’s Supper is to remember, be cleansed, and honor the Lord’s sacrifice.
c. The Expectations – Jesus would come again. He said, “I will not join you in this UNTIL I drink it in a new way in my Father’s Kingdom.” What exactly was this new way? He would have defeated death, conquered the grave, and paid the price for sin.
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