Devoted to the Lord’s Table
Luke 22:15-20 (ESV):
15And 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.”17And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among your selves. 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.”19And 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 remem
brance of me.”20And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.[
Introduction
Picture this: A gathering of family and friends around a long table covered with banana leaves, filled with pancit, rice, lechon, lumpia, and other delicious dishes. The air is filled with laughter, conversation, and the enticing aroma of adobo simmering in the kitchen. Grand mothers share secret recipes, uncles love to debate who’s the ultimate grill master, and cousins joyfully catch up on the latest gadgets, all the fun TikTok trends, and share the latest stories from around town. For us, sharing a meal is not just about food; it's a celebration of unity and togetherness.
Similarly, the Lord’s Supper is more than just bread and wine. It is a sacrament/ ordinance, a visible sign of invisible grace, where believers come together to remember Christ’s sacrifice and receive spiritual nourishment. Just as each dish at a feast carries love and tradition, the elements of the Lord’s Supper hold deep spiritual significance.
I. Where did the Lord's Supper originate?
The Gospels show that Jesus fulfilled and transformed the Passover (Luke 22:15). The Lord’s Supper was established by Christ during his last Passover meal with his disciples, ex pressing a deep longing for this special time together.
Passover defined Israel as a community that was rescued by God from Egypt, reminding them of their helplessness. God delivered them from death, freed them from slavery, and established a covenant with them. Identifying with the lamb's blood shaped their identity as a people saved by God.
Jesus’ death fulfilled all that the Passover foreshadowed, establishing Him as the ulti mate Passover Lamb, as noted in John 1:29. Through His blood, we experience the ultimate
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exodus: we are delivered from death through forgiveness, liberated from sin, and set apart as a new covenant people. Our identity is rooted in Christ's death and resurrection, with the Lord's Supper serving as the meal that de fines our identity within this new covenant community.
II. Why do we partake in the Lord's Supper?
Take note: It’s essential to understand that when faced with the imperative “do this,” it serves as an opportunity for growth. If the Lord you cherish asks you to do something, your true love for Him can be demonstrated through obedience. Embracing this obedience can strengthen your bond and deepen your faith.
A. Announcement: We declare to each other and others that Christ's death was not a “tragic end” but a triumphant declaration of victory over Satan and the “death of death.” As we gather for the Lord’s Supper, I, your Pastor, am just one voice among many; together, as a united body, we boldly announce that the sacrificed body and the shed blood of our Savior signify the profound truth that there is but one “way, truth, and life” (John 14:6) leading us to the eternal gift of salvation.
Application: We are prone to “forget.” This ordinance can help us redirect our attention to what truly matters.
B. Acknowledgment: When we come together for the Lord’s Supper, we celebrate the special bond that Jesus’ sacrifice has created among us. His death makes us one peo ple. Celebrating the Lord’s Table brings us all to level ground. It beautifully reminds us that we are all sinners, saved by grace alone, by faith alone, and by Christ alone.
The “one bread” and the “one cup” given by Christ highlighted the communal aspect of the meal (R. Kent Hughes). They shared a table of fellowship with one anoth er—in communion.
Application: If the idea is about many becoming one, you can’t despise any of them. If it means sacrificing for others, you can’t belittle them to elevate yourself. These attitudes don’t align.
C. Anticipation: We should approach the Lord’s Table with a vision of the ultimate Com munion, envisioning the grand banquet feast that awaits us. As it is beautifully stated, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Rev. 19:9). This heavenly gathering is a vibrant tapestry of fellowship and divine grace, reminding us that our celebration here echoes the promise of a more abundant feast to come.
To partake in the Lord’s Supper, one must clearly and profoundly understand the gospel. Recognizing your significant role and responsibilities within the body of Christ, the Church is essential. Furthermore, engaging in this sacred sacrament demands a committed relationship
with Christ. This is not merely a tradition or empty ritual, but a powerful dec laration of faith that requires your full awareness and engagement.
III. How do we engage in the Lord's Supper?
a. Be Willing - We should eagerly desire to participate in the Lord’s table.
b. Be Worthy - We need to ensure that those participating are genuine believers because this event is not for just anyone.
c. Be Wise – What do you mean by this service? When the Passover was instituted, Moses said, “And when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses’” (Ex. 12:26–27). The Lord’s Supper signifies, seals, and exhibits the benefits of Christ’s mediation
1. The Bread – “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19). In the old covenant, the unleavened bread was equated with the bread of affliction:
“You shall eat no leavened bread with it. Seven days you shall eat it with unleavened bread, the bread of affliction—for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste—that all the days of your life you may remember the day when you came out of the land of Egypt” (Deut. 16:3). This unleav
ened bread is now given a greater significance.
2. The Cup – “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:20). By calling the cup “the new covenant in my blood,” Jesus was intentionally contrasting his atoning work with the OT’s practice of atonement.
“And he sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the Lord. 6 And Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he threw against the altar. 7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” 8 And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.” (Exod. 24:5-8)
d. Be Worshipful – As we gather to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, we hear Jesus’ power ful invitation: “Take and eat/drink.” This echoes the Serpent’s temptation in Gene sis 3:4-6, which led to separation and a curse. Derek Kidner notes, “So simple the act, so hard its undoing.” In a remarkable act of grace, Jesus, the Passover Lamb, offers Himself as a sacrifice, allowing us to joyfully take, eat, and drink in remem brance of Him. What were once words leading to death and condemnation have
been transformed into a divine invitation to life and salvation.
COMMUNION:
So, dear brothers and sisters:
Take and eat – “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remem brance of me.’”
(1 Corinthians 11:23-24)
Take and drink – “In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remem brance of me.’” (1 Corinthians 11:25)
Through His sacrifice, Jesus ushers us into a reality filled with hope and eternal significance. Hallelujah! Soli Deo Gloria! Maranatha!
“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26) Amen!