Lord's Supper - Briefs

Remembering Jesus - The Lord's Supper
IMPORTANCE

One might assume that when the Old Testament closed, the subject of the Passover was left behind as the New Testament began to unfold. In fact, the Scriptures continue to reflect the importance of the Passover in the life and ministry of Jesus as described in the Gospels.

As we study this lesson on the institution and importance of the Lord’s Supper, it becomes obvious that the Passover has a significant place in the life of Jesus. John the Baptist explained the true meaning of Jesus’ mission to earth when he identified Him as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” This direct elucidation of Jesus as the Paschal Lamb is a clear indication of His mission. The ancient Hebrews were spared physical death by means of the blood of the sacrificed lamb put on their doorposts that terrible night in Egypt. Now, Jesus as God’s Lamb, offers His blood shed on the cross to save all of us from spiritual death who will come under its redeeming power.

In all the marvelous and enlightening history of the Passover feast, nothing surpasses the last Passover Jesus ate with His apostles shortly before His crucifixion. At this time the conjunction of the Passover feast and the Lord’s Supper was like two celestial bodies coming together to appear as one. Then, as we watch, the superior star emerges brightly while the lesser grows dim in the darkness of the night. Jesus and His apostolic band began their memorial feast that night in a Passover observance; they ended their meal with the communion of the Lord’s Supper. Henceforth, the Lord’s Supper loomed large in the worship of the church while the Passover feast, with all of its historic significance, had completed its purpose under the old covenant.

The church came into being fifty days after that last Passover meal Jesus observed with His followers. It is noteworthy to know that in its early years the church consisted of Jewish converts. The early Christians were people whose religion had been deeply imbedded in Old Testament teachings for about 1,500 years, although Judaism had emerged and presented special problems for them by the time Jesus came. Yet, converted Jews immediately began to worship God in ways harmonious with apostolic teaching. We are told “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” This way of worship included the Lord’s Supper (breaking of bread), but excluded the Passover meal.

We learn that this practice highlighted the importance and significance of the Lord’s Supper for these early Jewish Christians. They, of all people, could appreciate the Passover elements of the Lord’s Supper. The unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine had reminded them of their freedom from bondage; now, as Christians only, they were reminded of God’s sacrificial Lamb – Jesus, God’s Son; the Messiah for whom they had yearned for centuries.

We note that the church grew rapidly in the years following its establishment on the next Pentecost following the resurrection of Jesus. Eventually, the gospel was preached in Europe beginning with the work of Paul and his co-workers. For example, many Gentiles, as well as Jews, were converted to Christ in the territories of Macecdonia and Achaia. Principle cities of Philippi, Thessalonica, Athens, and Corinth were included in their evangelistic endeavor.

Unfortunately, the church at Corinth soon began to desecrate the Lord’s Supper in many disturbing ways. This abhorrent behavior presents us a sad picture indeed. It also gives us an unparalleled opportunity to learn how easy it is to mangle something that is beautiful and turn the sacred into a sordid worldly spectacle. As we turn to Paul’s scathing rebukes and teaching found in 1 Corinthians, we find explicit details about the abuse, as well as the proper observance, of the Lord’s Supper. Therefore, as we turn to the most lengthy and expansive teachings in the Bible about the Lord’s Supper, let us do so with sensitive ears and eager hearts.