Remembering the Lord's table

Rev. Shine Thomas

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-32

Introduction

Jesus came into this world 2000 years ago. Jesus lived for 33-1/2 years in this world. Though the entire life of Jesus is very important for a child of God, one part is very prominent and Jesus wants us to remember it whenever we meet. Jesus was born and people call it Christmas even though we do not have any biblical or historical proof of his birth on December 25th. Jesus lived, Jesus died, Jesus rose again, and Jesus ascended to heaven. But the one thing about Jesus’ life that He wants us to remember is his death, not the birth. The birth of Jesus was important to the Old Testament people. Jesus wanted the Old Testament people to look forward to his birth but they terribly missed it. Jesus wants the New Testament people (you and me) to remember his death. It is Christmas season and you can find Christmas decorations all around. The Christmas season has started; however, we will start this Christmas by remembering the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus has given us the Lord’s Table to remember his death.

This morning we are going to take a deeper look at the Lord’s Table, understand its background, and see how we are to approach the Lord’s Table.

1 Corinthians 11:23-32 explains about the Holy Communion. 1 Corinthians 11:23a 23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you.

Holy Communion was not a ritual started by Paul. Apostle Paul received the Holy Communion doctrine from glorified Jesus. God revealed it to him.

Now when we study the life of Jesus, Jesus Christ himself started the communion. Luke 22:14-18 14When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." 17After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. 18For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." Jesus started the Holy Communion which was later revealed to Apostle Paul.

Now Jesus did not start the Holy Communion just out of order. Jesus replaced the Passover into the Holy Communion. Luke 22:15 15And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. Jesus replaced the Passover meal into the Holy Communion.

Now what is the Passover?

Passover is the celebration of exodus (exit) of the Israelites from Egypt. Passover started in Exodus. The Passover meal was an annual event in a Jewish household.

Exodus 12:3 3 Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household.

Exodus 12:6-7 6 Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. 7 Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.

Exodus 12:12-13 12 "On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. 13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.

The blood of the lamb protected the Israelites from death that day. The Israelites celebrated the Passover annually remembering how God protected their forefathers on the first Passover day back in Egypt.

Now, Jesus celebrated the Passover for 32 years very faithfully as he was a Jew. On the 33rd year Jesus and disciples celebrated the Passover one day early i.e., Thursday and on Friday at the exact time the lambs were to be slaughtered Jesus died as the Passover lamb. Thus, Jesus was a perfect bridge between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Jesus ate the Passover as per the Old Testament laws and the next day he himself became the Passover lamb. His death was 3 hours before the Passover meal. In other words Jesus replaced the Passover meal into the Holy Communion. The Holy Communion has a great significance.

1 Corinthians 11:23b-25 The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 25In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."

Jesus said all these years you have been celebrating the Passover remembering what God did in Egypt but tomorrow I am going to be the Passover lamb, so now do it in remembrance of me. Jesus said the bread is the symbol of my body and the wine is the symbol my blood. I will no longer be with you but the communion is for you to remember me and my death.

1 Corinthians 11:26 26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

The Holy Communion is a way for us to remember the Lord’s death. By taking the communion we are proclaiming to the world that Jesus died for us and he will come back one day to receive us.

Why did Jesus die?

Romans 3:23 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
All mankind has sinned and Jesus died for the sins of the entire mankind right from Adam (the first man) to all the people present and yet to be born.

What if I do not accept Christ? What if I continue in sin?

Romans 6:23 23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Not accepting Jesus means living in sin and sins leads to death (spiritual and eternal death) but belief in Jesus gives us life (eternal life).

What is the remedy for my sins?

Hebrews 9:22 22In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
A sinner has to be cleansed by blood and forgiveness of sin come only by shedding of blood.

Whose blood is worthy of forgiving my sins?

1 Peter 1:18-19 18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
The forgiveness of sins can come only from a person who is without blemish or defect (sin) that is God’s only son, Jesus Christ. Jesus’ blood can forgive my sins. His blood is without blemish or without spot.

Participating in the Communion

How to approach the Holy Communion or the Lord’s Table?

1 Corinthians 11:27-29 27Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.

Approach the Communion in holiness.

Without holiness no one can see God. Hebrews 12:14 14Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Jesus suffered to make us holy.
Hebrews 13:12 12And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood.

Ask God to make us holy by His blood.