1 Corinthians 11
It is the high point of the worship
service. The pastor takes bread and repeats the words Jesus spoke on the night
He was betrayed. “This is My body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of
Me.” Then he takes wine and repeats
Jesus’ words, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as
you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Then the congregation is invited forward. Those who have been instructed
and are able to examine themselves receive Jesus’ body and blood for the
forgiveness of their sins. Those who have not been instructed and the children
are welcomed with a word of blessing.
1 Corinthians 11 gives us more
information to help us understand what goes on in the Lord’s Supper than any
other chapter of the Bible. Taken with the comments in chapter 10, and Jesus’
own words recorded in the Gospels, we find here the backbone of our
understanding of what God does in the Holy Communion. It is this Word of the
Lord that we want to understand as we approach the altar, to inform us about
what God is doing through this sacrament, and how we respond to it.
So what is happening here? Jesus is
giving us His body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins, for our unity in
Him, and to counteract the effects of sin in our lives. As we receive it we make
a confession of our faith through our action that Jesus died for us, that He is
risen, and He is feeding us with this heavenly meal. We are absolutely clear
that He gives us His body and blood, although we only taste bread and wine,
because of the judgment on those who eat it unworthily; they do not sin against
the congregation, but against the body and blood of the Lord.
This excellent gift is for our comfort
as the Lord delivers forgiveness for our sins, and unites us as we say together
that Jesus’ death atones for our sins. Who can receive such a thing worthily?
It is those who believe Jesus’ words, “given and shed for you.” These words are
grabbed by faith, and tell us that God wants us to know, individually and
corporately, that He has won the victory over sin and death, and He delivers
that victory to us through His Word. In this case, He delivers that Word in a
special way, attached to bread and wine, giving us Jesus’ body and blood. “O,
taste and see that the Lord is good!”
Lord Jesus, You have given us a great gift
and mystery in the Your supper. Give me faith to take hold of Your promises,
and confess Your salvation by the eating and drinking of Your blood. Amen.
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