The Lord's Supper

Memory Verse:  "For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes."  1 Corinthians 11:26 (NIV)

The Lord’s Supper is one of two symbols that Jesus gave the Church as prescriptions for celebrating His ministry to the Church.  Can you name the other symbol?

Monday: Luke 22:19 - The Lord’s Supper is for Christians

Jesus asked the disciples to eat the broken bread “in remembrance of me.” He wanted them to remember His sacrifice, the basis for forgiveness of sins, and also his friendship that they could continue to enjoy through the work of the Holy Spirit. Although the exact meaning of communion has been strongly debated throughout history, Christian still take bread and wine in remembrance of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If you are a Christian, do not neglect participating in the Lord's Supper. Let it remind you of what Christ did for you.

Tuesday: Matthew 26:28 - The Lord’s Supper helps us remember Jesus’ suffering and death

Those who lived before Jesus lived under the old covenant and could only approach God by priest or animal sacrifice. All people are now given the opportunity to come directly before God through faith because through Jesus' death we have been made acceptable in God's eyes. The Old Covenant was a shadow of the new, pointing forward to the day when Jesus himself would be the final and ultimate sacrifice for sin. Rather than an unblemished lamb slain on the altar, the perfect Lamb of God was slain on the cross, a sinless sacrifice so that our sins could be forgiven once and for all. All those who believe in Christ receive that forgiveness.
 
Wednesday: John 3:16 - The Lord’s Supper is a proclamation of His love and is cause for joy and celebration

God loves us so much that He gave His Son as the ultimate sacrifice for sin. Many of us can recite John 3:16 but read it again now, reflecting on each word as you consider the magnitude of what took place on the cross the day Jesus died. We can count it all joy and jump in with celebration because we have been given the gift of eternal life, Oh how God loves us!!!! What are some other scriptures that tell us about God’s love? Below are some of my personal favorites. Consider writing each one down and adding some of your own.

Romans 8:38-39, Psalm 117:2, I John 4:16, Ephesians 3:16-19

Thursday: Matthew 26:26 - The Lord’s Supper is a source of spiritual strength as it reminds us of our connection to Jesus and, through Him, our connection to one another

Each name we use for this sacrament brings out a different dimension to it. It is the Lord's Supper because it commemorates the Passover meal Jesus ate with his disciples; it is the Eucharist (thanksgiving) because in it we thank God for Christ's work for us; it is communion because through it we commune with God and with other believers. As we eat the bread and drink the wine, we should be quietly reflective as we recall Jesus's death and his promise to come again, grateful for God's wonderful gift to us, and joyful as we meet with Christ and the body of believers.

Friday: The Lord’s Supper is a reason to reflect upon our spiritual condition and to draw close to Jesus

What does it mean to reflect on our spiritual condition? While we all have opportunity for growth, we are all on different levels spiritually. New Christians will be on a very different level than a seasoned Christian. It isn’t a matter of where we are spiritually but rather where we are going. Christianity is about constant growth. Maybe you spend time with God each day, maybe you don’t. Maybe you communicate with God through prayer time and depend on Him no matter what your circumstances are; maybe you have let that slip. No matter where you are, God wants us to be our very best for Him. Now is the best time to look at where you stand with God. Are there changes that you know God wants you to make? Could you dig deeper into the scripture and learn more about Him? Is He asking you to reach out to others and share the Gospel? Maybe He just wants you to depend on Him to get you through the valley that you are in. Draw close to Him. Pray now and ask God to forgive you for becoming spiritually stale and ask Him how He wants to take you to a new level.