APPRECIATION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER
[A word of reverence and careful meditation on 1 Corinthians 11]
It seems a worthy study to look carefully at 1 Corinthians 11:23-30, for the Lord's supper explained there is a solemn and holy act of collective worship. The Lord Himself tells us of His desire in Luke 22 for ordaining the memorial after the Israelite Passover was held. It is not just an honorable religious ritual or ceremony of man, but is communion in the real sense (Matt.18:20). The apostle, Paul, admonishes the saints gathered in Corinth about order and conformity to the mind and purposes of God, and speaks of their carelessness and failure to understand holiness and honor.
Beginning at verse 23 Paul sets forth again that which the Lord showed him, and seeks to explain it carefully to restore holiness and reverence in the assembly. It is one of only two ordinances given to the church to keep---baptism being the other one. It is a request, not law, as all doctrines in the New Testament, but there are serious consequences in failure to appreciate it and conform to it. The Lord is saying, it appears: "...this do in remembrance of Me" if you care enough to be thankful and worship God. He takes note of that.
The Lord separates the bread from the wine as two distinct redemptive aspects of the Lord's sacrifice (as also seen in the Old Testament offerings). Both ought to be acknowledged and appreciated ---first as a picture and symbol today of the Lord's body wounded unto death, like the sacrificial lamb of Israel ---a type of Christ to come, but now as the Son of God who alone could bear man's sins away by suffering under judgment, and pay the price of redemption; then second, the cup of wine speaking of His precious life-giving blood poured out in death that we might be cleansed within, and joined to Him eternally. The Old Testament saints looked forward to Christ, and today we look back and up to Christ.
This could only be a memorial by those who have owned Christ's death for them, and have the spiritual washing of their sins by the blood of Christ. It is worship by true saints in remembrance, thankfulness, praise, and devotion to Him who paid the price to release us from the bondage of sin; and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, making an entrance for us into the presence of God ---our Father, and loving us. The Lord Jesus Christ had power to lay down His life, and power to take it up again (John 10:15-18), in which true believers have eternal hope. The Lord's supper honors the Lord, and it speaks of obedience as well as worship. It is worship when the heart is engaged with thanksgiving.
It seems important to understand that the Lord's supper is to be in communion and fellowship at the Lord's table, and not independent of it as one might choose. This is saying the table is a fellowship of faithful and obedient saints (as the twelve disciples who were called aside - Luke 22:9-14), and should be communion as given. It is not for just any disciples, but saints of God (note 1 Cor. 11:27-29). Other papers speak more about the table of the Lord.
Sometimes a gathered saint cannot be present for the collective Lord's supper, and certainly the Lord knows and understands, so He says: "For as often as ye (saints of God) eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till He come" - verse 26. One can always worship in his/her heart anywhere and anytime, but the supper at the table is that gathering of the saints on the Lord's day to remember Him in devotions.
In verse 27 we must consider a solemn thing. It is a warning against treating the emblems as a ritual, rather than holy communion, and with one partaking of it "unworthily" or in an unworthy manner. A saint of God must not come to the table in a carnal way with unjudged sin upon him (verse 28 & 29), for he will surely "eateth and drinketh judgment to himself". The thought in verse 28 is not that one should conclude that being a Christian he has a right to partake of the supper, but whether he is coming in holiness.
Truly, much more is to be found in such a meditation, but we can at least consider essential meaning and purpose here. - R. L. DeWitt, 9/06
