THE LORD’S SUPPER

 

          Have you ever wondered why Jesus instituted the “Lord’s Supper”. After all, wouldn’t it seem strange to you if someone you were eating with said of the bread, “This is my body which is given for you,” and said of the cup, this is… “My blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:19-20). For that reason, I would like us to take a careful look at those words.

          First of all, ask yourself: Where was Christ’s body given for us? And, where was Christ’s blood shed for us? The obvious answer is, on the cross. Christ’s body and blood were “given” and “shed” for us on the cross as the atonement for our sin. Therefore, there is no difference between saying that “Christ’s body and blood were given and shed for us,” and saying that “Christ died for our sin”. Both statements are referring to His death on the cross, and both statements mean the same thing!

          Once that is understood, it should be obvious that in the eyes of God there is no difference between believing that you are saved because you have received His death on the cross as the atonement for your sin; and believing that you are saved because you have received the body and blood that He gave/shed on the cross as the atonement for your sin. That is the “good news” that His “Supper” was intended to proclaim. And, that is why it is important for those who come to the Lord's Supper believe the words that Christ spoke when He instituted it (1Cor. 11:29-30).