A Time to Remember: The Importance of the Lord's Supper
- Shawna Jones
- Feb 15, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 3, 2023
"And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. (15) And he said to them, 'I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. (16) For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.' (17) And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, 'Take this, and divide it among yourselves. (18) For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.' (19) And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' (20) And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, 'This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.'"
Before Jesus was sent to be crucified, He instituted the Lord's Supper. During the Supper, He passed around bread saying that it symbolized His body. Then, He passed around wine that symbolized His blood which was to be 'poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins' ( Matt. 26:28 ESV ). This wasn't going to be a one-time meal, but Jesus commanded the disciples to continue on the tradition when He said, 'Do this in remembrance of me' ( Luke 22:19 ). Today, churches continue this tradition in accordance with Jesus' command. The Lord's Supper should be a time of reflection and remembrance as we meditate on all that Jesus has done for us in dying on the cross for our sins.
It's a time to remember our salvation. What were things like for you before you knew Jesus? How has Jesus brought you from that place? You are only where you are today because of God's grace and mercy shown through Jesus's sacrifice. However, it could be for you that coming to know Christ was a gradual effort and you see no clear distinction between how things were before and after. Even then, reflect on all that God has done for you throughout your walk with Him and on His faithfulness throughout the seasons.
It's a time to remember Jesus's choice to die for us. At any point, Jesus could've chosen to be saved from the torture of the cross. He even said while being arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane that He could call on God and that God would immediately send 12 legions of angels to save Him ( Matt. 26:53 ). It was Jesus's choice to come to the earth and die in such a horrible way for you and me. All because He loved the Father and loved us so much ( John 10:17-18, 15:13 ).
It's a time to remember that sin is serious. We deserved death and eternal punishment as punishment for our sins ( Romans 6:23, 2 Peter 3:7 ). None of us are good enough to reach God on our own because of our sinful nature. It is only through Jesus's blood ( Romans 5:9, Col. 1:20 ). God's grace should move us to repentance from any sinful lifestyle that we've entangled ourselves in.
It's a time to remember the importance of faith. We have been saved and will only ever be saved by faith. It's only by God's grace that we have life. God made it so that all who would want salvation receive it through faith in His Son, Jesus
( John 3:16, Romans 5:1-2 ).
It's a time to remember to remember. Reflect on all that God has done for you in the past, and present, and how You can trust Him with your future. Thank Him for His provision.
It's a time to remember the Lordship of Jesus. Jesus is the Head of the Church and He should be our focus individually and our focus as a body of believers ( Eph. 5:23, Col. 1:18 ). We continue to hold the Lord's Supper because Jesus is the One who first commanded it.
It's a time to remember to hold each other accountable. We are called to be servants of one another and are to build each other up in the faith ( Eph. 4:29; 1 Peter 4:10 ). In love, we are to keep each other out of sin and encourage others to continue pursuing our Saviour wholeheartedly. When we serve others, share the gospel, and build each other up, we are doing the Lord's work.
The Lord's Supper isn't the only day where we should take time to reflect on all that God has done for us in Christ. However, on the Lord's Supper, we are given the special opportunity to bask in the goodness of God and reflect on His faithfulness as we partake in the body and blood of Christ. Continue to seek God and rejoice daily in the salvation He has blessed you with in Christ Jesus, Our Lord. God is with you always.
God, thank You for sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. Thank You for the salvation that He provides to all people through His blood. Please help us to share the hope we have in Christ with unbelievers and to also reflect each day Jesus to those around us. Please be glorified, God.
In Jesus's Name, I pray, amen.
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