Don't Forget

Yesterday, in the morning service, we observed the Lord's Supper. Our attendance was considerably better than the last few weeks. This pleased me, because the more members of the Church Family who participate in observing the ordinance the better.

Once upon a time, I heard someone say, "Observing the Lord's Supper is the most dangerous thing we do in church." That statement certainly caught my attention. After doing a little Bible study, I found a verse that supports this contention.

Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep (I Corinthians 11:27-30, NASB).

Paul stated that we should not participate in the Lord's Supper in "an unworthy manner." In other words, we should not eat the symbolic bread and wine "in a way that isn't worthy of the Lord (CEV)." If we do not "examine" ourselves and repent of the sin in our lives, we are insulting the sacrifice that Christ made for us.

How terrible it is to hear Jesus say, "This is my body...This is my blood..." and our response is "So what?" Contemplating the death of Christ should humble us and deeply grieve us. Jesus stated "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Matthew 5:4, NIV)." Paul indicated that callously taking the Lord's Supper leads to illness and even death. So, don't forget what the Lord's Supper is all about.

In Luke 22:14-23, I find four things we do not need to forget when we honor the Lord's Supper.

I. The Blessing (14-18)

What a blessing to know that Jesus had a "fervent desire" to observe the Passover with His disciples. He couldn't wait to give them a way to remember Him after he had died, resurrected, and ascended. He longed to be with them.

Jesus took the Passover Feast and gave it a new meaning. The Passover commemorated the release of the Jews from captivity in Egypt. Jesus was now communicating that he was about to give His life in order for the world to be released from the captivity of sin.

Don't forget that Jesus has a deep longing to have a relationship with you and he gave His life to prove it.

II. The Body (19)

Just over a week ago, a sixteen year old boy brutally killed a well known talk show personality. A short time after the murder, he turned himself in to the police. How sad that the young man committed such a horrific crime, but, at least he came forward and admitted his guilt. He will have to pay the price for his actions.

In the light of the perfect life that Jesus lived, how amazing is it that he "turned himself in" for our sin? He gave Himself...His body for us. Don't forget that he said at one time "No one takes my life from me, I willingly lay it down." The bodily pain Jesus experienced was willingly accepted because he loved us.

Don't forget that Jesus went to great lengths to demonstrate his love for you.

III. The Blood (20)

In the context of the Passover Meal, Jesus gave a new meaning to one of the cups that were observed. Four cups were drank symbolically in the Passover Meal to commemorate the four part promise of God to the Jews in Egyptian Captivity (Exodus 6:6-7)

The First Cup: I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians,
The Second Cup: I will rescue you from their bondage,
The Third Cup: I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.
The Fourth Cup: I will take you as My people, and I will be your God.

Jesus completely fulfilled the promise of God that was remembered by the drinking of the third cup: "I will redeem you." Jesus redeemed us by his blood. The scriptures state "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness...(Heb. 9:22).

In Egypt, before the Jews were released, they were spared by the blood of the lambs they had slain and that blood which was placed on their doors. The death angel passed over the home that were covered by the blood.

Paul referred to Jesus as "our Passover (I Cor. 5:7)." Don't forget that the blood of Jesus covers our sin.

IV. The Betrayer (21-23)

For me, I am amazed by what transpired toward the end of this meal. Jesus had made profound earth shaking statements concerning his future. Then, he indicated there was a betrayer among his disciples.

Of course, Judas knew Jesus was calling him out, but the other disciples did not. So, the scriptures record that the other disciples "began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this (Luke 22:23, NIV)."

I am amazed that the fact that Judas was the betrayer was not obvious to the other disciples. The disciples took time to ponder who could possibly do such a horrible thing. In another Gospel it is recorded that they all said, "Is it I?" Judas had flown under the radar for so long. Only Jesus had the spiritual x-ray vision to see his heart.

Don't forget that Jesus knows your heart and we all have the potential to do the unthinkable. Remember to stay close to Jesus and don't take lightly the sacrifice he made for you.