Supper Time

Two days ago our church family gathered for supper.  If you are from the southern portion of the Lower 48, you may think that means we ate the day's last meal together.  The supper we shared was much less substantial in quantity when compared to an average evening meal; but it was exceedingly more substantial in meaning.  And, strange as it sounds, our supper was dedicated to a remembrance of death.  Quoting the Lord Jesus, Paul wrote . . .

"This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."
and
"This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."

When Christians take / receive / observe the Lord's Supper (Communion), they do so with past events in mind and the present realities those events ensure.

Past Events We Remember:

1. Jesus invited His disciples to eat and drink with Him.
2. Jesus shared a meal that symbolized the suffering He knew He would soon endure.
3. Jesus suffered and died for sinners.

Present Realities We Celebrate:

1. Jesus invites Christians to "take and eat."
2. Jesus' suffering spared us from the deserved consequences of our sin.

   He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2 (NIV)

3.  Jesus suffered and died for us.

   But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8 (NIV)

In the second chapter of Acts, Luke details the acts of the first disciples.  In addition to teaching and supporting one another in community, they broke bread. 

They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. . . . Acts 2:46 b - 47a (NIV)

It may seem strange that we, like they, break bread together in remembrance of Jesus' suffering and death.  Even still, we continue to do so because of those amazing present realities.  We remember and we celebrate.

#ordinarylives