What is the Lord’s Supper for

The Lord’s Supper has been a neglected truth in the modern Western church. As a reaction to the false doctrine of transubstantiation and the superstitious idolatry of the Roman Catholic mass, a lot of churches have veered away from emphasising it and instead made the church all about Bible teaching and praise, with the Lord’s Supper a minority addition occasionally tacked on at the end. This is to their people’s eternal disadvantage. Here are a few suggestions as to why the Lord Jesus commanded that we remember him often (the early church pattern was weekly) and why this is the only church service we have as a direct command from our Lord.

The Lord’s Supper is…

for Cooperating with God

We remember the New Covenant including the Lord’s commitment to write his laws on our hearts. We are to cooperate by examining ourselves, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal sinful attitudes and actions. Regular, proper use of the Lord’s Supper to examine ourselves means the Lord can make us holy without the need to discipline us. (1 Corinthians 11:31-32, Hebrews 8:10)

to honour Christ

The world still rejects Christ and disowns his claims. In contrast, his loyal followers gather for the specific purpose of honouring him as their true Lord and King. (Luke 22:28, 1 Corinthians 11:23)

for transformation

The Lord’s Supper is a celebration of Christ’s character and victory. This helps combat our natural desire to be better than others. Instead, we start to value humility, meekness, and submission to God. In essence we become more like Christ as we learn to admire and honour him. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

as a worldwide witness

The Lord’s Supper was ordained by Christ to be a witness of his death as the central event of Christianity, until his return. This protects his church from emphasising social action, morality or anything else above the true gospel. It is generally observed on the first day of the week as a witness to his resurrection from the dead. (Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 11:26)

for consecration

Through the Lord’s Supper we once again own Jesus as our Lord and remind ourselves that we belong to him. Because he bought us, and at such a cost, it is only reasonable that we should give ourselves back to him to do his will. Over time this helps us live more for him. (Romans 12:1–2)

for fellowship with Christ

When we sin and fail our instinct is to run and hide from the Lord (like Adam and Eve). Hence the Lord commands us to come, and sit at his table, as he washes our feet, and restores our fellowship with him. That’s why this is the first thing we are to do every week, to give us a fresh start in his grace, so that our failures do not mean we drift away. (John 13:8)

for fellowship with each other

The Lord’s Supper unites all true believers as we partake of the bread and wine that symbolise the basis of our common acceptance by God. As we all eat of the bread and drink the wine, it shows that we all stand before God on an equal basis. This strengthens unity and togetherness, as it is a powerful symbol of the common life we have in Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:16-17)

for breaking the world's hold on us

The world gave Christ a cross and continues to reject his claims. As we celebrate the Lord’s Supper we are saying we disagree with that decision and agree with God’s verdict on his Son. This helps break our desire to be liked, respected and appreciated by the world. If they got Jesus so badly wrong why should we respect their opinion so much? (Galatians 6:14)

for growing our devotion to Christ

The world has the effect of drawing our hearts away from God to other things: success, popularity, pleasure, comfort, worry, etc. As we face these temptations every week, our hearts can grow cold as ice. God has wisely ordained that we regularly remember the wonder and beauty of our Saviour, the only one truly worthy of our full attention, in order to draw our hearts to him in loving obedience. Over time, sincerely done, this results in genuine, consistent, hearts of devotion which need less melting. (Romans 12:1-2)

for convincing us of God's love

The death of Christ shows us the heart of God for us. The Holy Spirit uses our meditation on Christ’s death to convince us of God’s love for us personally, thus preparing us for times of difficulty and trial when it is natural for us to question these things. The sheer facts help hammer into our heads that we don’t have to do anything to earn God’s favour or salvation. (Romans 5:6-11, 1 John 4:9)

for a healthier perspective

It is very healthy for our minds to be regularly thankful. When we deliberately come out from our own little lives and focus on God’s Son and the blessings bestowed on us through his great salvation, the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to the riches we have in Christ and our own problems start to appear smaller. (Philippians 4:4)

If done carefully and regularly, remembering the Lord will have a massive sanctifying impact on the lives of God’s people.