THE LORD'S SUPPER IS…

From a book of Lord’s Supper meditations by Dr. G. B. Dunning

First, the Lord's Supper is a MEMORIAL FEAST Luke 22:19 KJV And he took

bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in

remembrance of me. While this was spoken to the apostles of Jesus, we, as

His devoted disciples, through the testimony of Scripture, do remember He died for all who believe in Him as

Lord and Savior.

Second, it is a service of THANKSGIVING Luke 22:17 KJV And

he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among

yourselves: The Greek word for thanks, "eucaristia," is preserved in the early

church calling the communion service the "EUCHARIST," that is, the service

of thanksgiving.

Third, it is a service of COMMUNION“Common-union”

Paul said, The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the

body of Christ? 1 Corinthians 10:16 KJV

Fourth, it is a symbol of SACRIFICE Luke 22:15 KJV And he said unto them,

With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: The emblems of His sacrifice are always present in this love feast-the bread,

representing His body offered on the cross as His sacrifice, and the cup,

representing His blood which was shed on the cross as His sacrifice.

Fifth, the Lord's Supper is a sign of our FELLOWSHIP in Christ and with each

other. As we partake of the communion of the blood of Christ and the

communion of the body of Christ, 1 Corinthians 10:17 KJV For we being

many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

Sixth, it is a re-enacting of our COVENANT relationship with Christ which we entered into when we first

gave our lives to Christ as our Saviour and Lord. Luke 22:20 KJV Likewise

also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood,

which is shed for you.

Seventh, it is our PROPHECY as the body of Christ and as Christians of our

confidence in the return of Jesus Christ to take us unto Himself for

eternity. 1 Corinthians 11:26 KJV For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

These seven identifications of the significance of the Lord's Supper do not begin to exhaust the marvelous associations the Lord's Table makes

with all the prophecies and truths which are related to Jesus' offering

Himself on the cross so we could have both the promise and hope of

everlasting life.

The Lord's Supper reveals great truths, but it also contains great mystery, 1

Timothy 3:16 KJV And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles,

believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Luke 22:14 KJV And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve

apostles with him. 15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said,

Take this, and divide it among yourselves:

18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom

of God shall come. 19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it,

and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup

is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.