The conduct of true Lord’s supper: (11:23-32):
The Lord supper is a serious act. It is very serious thing to come to the Communion with an unprepared heart and much more if received in a careless manner. Because the Corinthians had been sinning in their observing of the Lord’s Supper, God had disciplined them. Paul says: “That’s why many among you are weak and sick and a number of you have fallen asleep” (11:30). But taking part in the Lord’s Supper with right attitude gives us an opportunity for spiritual growth and blessings.
The early church remembered that Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper on the night of the Passover meal (Lk. 22:13-20). It is just as Passover is celebrated for the deliverance of Israel from slavery, in the same way, the Lord’s Supper is celebrated for the deliverance from sin by Christ’s death. The Lord Jesus had commanded us to do this in remembrance of His death on the Cross of Calvary. So Paul reminding of what Jesus did on the night just before His betrayal and crucifixion, “the Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took the bread and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said. This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me”(11: 23-24). So Paul remembering the events, teaches the Corinthians to do the same. He took the bread and gave thanks, giving emphasis on the meaning of His death for our salvation. The breaking of bread and the drinking of wine were important parts of the Passover celebration. Jesus took these important pictures and reminders of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, and added to them the meanings connected with His own death on the cross for us. Again he takes the cup of vine reminding of the Passover meal and drink, this cup Jesus referred to was known as the “cup of redemption”, and Jesus added to the reminder of redemption from slavery in Egypt the idea that His blood would confirm a “new covenant” which would change our relationship with God. This New Covenant is nothing but the inner transformation, that cleanses us from all sin “For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more” (Jer. 31:34), and puts God’s Word in us. “For I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts” (Jer.31:33). It is all about a new, close, relationship with God as Jeremiah prophesied about the Lord Jesus Christ “I will be there God, and they shall be My people.” Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we have a new covenant which is a direct access to God, a great relationship with God.
Some important points we must remember that when we are partaking with the Lord’s Supper are:
- Memorial: As the Passover was a memorial commemorating Israel’s deliverance from Egypt through the blood of the lambs on the door post, so the Lord’s Supper is a memorial of our Lord’s death who makes our deliverance from the bondage of sin possible
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- The Lord Himself gave us this command.
- We eat the bread in memory of His body.
- We drink the cup (fruit of the vine) in memory of His blood.
- We therefore commemorate the death of Jesus on the cross (26:28) Whose death make the new covenant possible ( Heb 9:16) and the blood was shed for the remission of sins ( Eph 1:7).
- It is observed till the Return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Proclamation: The Lord’s Supper makes us to look forward as well as backward, which is a redemption and anticipate His return!
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- We proclaim our faith in the efficacy of the Lord’s death (11:26a) that His death was indeed for our sins. We also proclaim through our faith the Return of the Lord Jesus Christ (11:26b).
3. Communion: It is a time of communion or fellowship. We must continue to partake in the Lord’s Supper until he comes.
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- Fellowship of sharing in the blood of Christ.
- We commune with the blood of Christ.
- It is the sense of reinforcing blessings we enjoy through the blood of Christ. (1 Jn. 1:7,9) and also reinforcing fellowship together in the body of Christ (i.e. the Church).
4. Great Reverence: The Lord’s Supper must be observed with great reverence.
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- In a worthy manner.
- With respect for the supreme price paid by the Lord Jesus Christ for our sins, remembering the cruel torture and humiliations suffered by the Lord Jesus (Isa.53: ff).
- Failure to observe with proper reverence brings condemnation (11:27-29). That person will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord and drink judgement to himself.
- To make light of this memorial puts one in the same category as those who mocked the Lord when He was hung on the cross!