The Lord's Supper's proper meaning
Written by Senior Pastor Ndayiragije Misigaro Joel, June 7, 2023
Matthew 26:17–29 (NKJV)
Jesus Celebrates Passover with His Disciples
17 Now on the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”
18 And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. When evening had come, he sat down with the twelve. 21 Now, as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” 22 And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?” 23 He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. 24 The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?” He said to him, “You have said it.”
Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper
26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”27 Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the [b]new covenant, which is shed for many for the [c]remission of sins. 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”
INTRODUCTION
After Judas left to betray Jesus, He gathered with His disciples to share a final meal together. During this meal, Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper, instructing His followers to eat the bread and drink the wine in remembrance of Him.
Jesus is referring to the Last Supper, where he shared bread and wine with his disciples. He is also making a reference to the future when they will be reunited in heaven. This statement shows Jesus' belief in the afterlife and his hope for a future reunion with his disciples. It also emphasizes the importance of the Last Supper as a symbol of their bond and shared faith.
The Lord's Supper's meaning is to commemorate the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. It symbolizes his body and blood, which were given up for humanity's salvation. Additionally, it serves as a reminder of the covenant between God and his people and the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. Taking communion is a sacred ritual that brings believers closer to God and strengthens their relationship with him. It is a powerful symbol of the sacrifice that Jesus made for humanity and the love that God has for his people.
After this exchange, Jesus proceeded to institute the Lord's Supper with his disciples. He took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "Take, eat; this is My body."
1. SHARED FAITH
We are to celebrate in keeping with the faith we share with Jesus Christ, and the act of partaking in the Lord's Supper continues to be an important part of Christian worship and community today, symbolizing the unity and sacrifice of Christ for his followers. Additionally, through the Lord's Supper, believers are spiritually nourished and strengthened in faith.
Romans 12:13 "Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality."
We are looking into the importance of sharing and providing for others, which can also be reflected in the act of sharing a meal together. The Supper can serve as a reminder to Christians to practice hospitality and generosity towards one another.
What is part of this nourishment? The bread and wine, which represent the body and blood of Christ, serve as a reminder of His ultimate sacrifice and offer a tangible connection to His teachings. Furthermore, the act of sharing in communion with fellow believers fosters a sense of community and solidarity within the church. verse
What is part of the strength? Part of the strength of communion lies in its ability to unite believers across different cultures and backgrounds, creating a shared experience of faith and devotion. Additionally, the communion ritual provides a moment of reflection and introspection, allowing individuals to connect with their spirituality and relationship with God.
2. THE NECESSITY OF BREAD
John 6:35 "Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst."
The metaphor of bread in this passage emphasizes the importance of Jesus as a source of sustenance for believers. It also highlights the idea that spiritual nourishment is just as essential to our well-being as physical sustenance.
And partaking in the bread during communion also serves as a reminder of the sacrifice he made for humanity, inspiring believers to live a life of service and compassion towards others. So, what does it mean when Jesus says, "Take this bread and eat it, for it is my body"? as believers, we are reminded of this sacrifice and encouraged to live a life that reflects Jesus' teachings.
The act of consuming the bread is a symbol of unity with Christ and commitment to following his teachings. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of nourishing both the body and soul, as bread sustains physical life while faith sustains spiritual life.
This statement is believed to be symbolic of Jesus offering himself as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity. By partaking in the bread, believers are symbolically accepting this sacrifice and committing themselves to follow in his footsteps.
John 6:48 "I am the bread of life." The bread of the Christian faith It is seen as a representation of Jesus' teachings and a source of spiritual nourishment for believers.
By consuming the bread, believers symbolically take Christ's teachings and become one with him.
Matthew 4:4 "But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”
The importance of not only consuming physical bread but also spiritual nourishment from God's word suggests that true life and sustenance come from following God's teachings rather than solely relying on physical sustenance.
3. THE BLOOD OF JESUS
Hebrews 9:22 "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness."
What is the significance of this blood? Jesus' blood is required because it represents the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for the salvation of humanity. It reminds us of the depth of God's love and the ultimate price paid for our sins. Our redemption is certain, and our faith gives us the strength to live a life pleasing to God.
Another thing about blood is that when it leaves the body, it leaves no life behind, but Jesus' blood came out on the cross and gave life instead, and his body, which was supposed to be dead, never died to decay as a result. This is why we Christians believe in the power of Jesus' blood to cleanse us of our sins and give us eternal life.
Romans 5:9 "Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him?"
This is a significant aspect of the Christian belief in the resurrection of Jesus, as it shows his power over death and his ability to give eternal life to those who believe in him. The shedding of Jesus' blood is also seen as a symbol of his sacrifice for humanity's sins.
