This post is written by David McLemore as a companion for Unit 26, Session 2 of The Gospel Project for Adults, Volume 9: From Death to Resurrection (Fall 2023).
Every time I stand before my church to prepare us for the Lord’s Supper, I am reminded of the immense honor it is that Jesus invites us into such an intimate sacrament. In Matthew 26:26-28, Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper among His disciples to symbolize the new covenant, to serve as a reminder of His death, and to encourage those gathered around the table that there would be another greater meal yet to come. What Jesus’s disciples enjoyed with Him is what Christians throughout the ages have enjoyed together in churches throughout the world as they take part in this ordinance.
At my church, we call it communion. It is a part of our weekly rhythm of life together. After the sermon is preached, we invite all who have placed their faith in Christ, have turned from their sin in repentance, and have been baptized to come forward when they are ready. This is a family meal. If you have not yet trusted in Christ, we ask you to hold off, and while the others take communion, you take Christ. One of our elders stands at the table and as each person comes forward, looks them in the eye and says, “The body and blood of Jesus, given for you.” It is a holy moment together.
As we take the bread, we are reminded of the broken body of Jesus. The juice reminds us of the shed blood of Jesus, the blood of the new covenant, poured out for us for the forgiveness of sins. Together, these symbols lift our eyes to our Redeemer, who did not spare His own life but gave Himself up for His friends.
The Lord’s Supper assures us that we could not be more loved. Jesus gave Himself for us. He died to save us. He rose to secure us. He will come back one day to get us, and when He does, we will gather around a table again with Him and enjoy the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:6-9). Until that day, we remember the dying love of God in Christ through bread and juice. We remember that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16), and we rejoice that our salvation is secure.
David McLemore serves as an elder at Refuge Church in Franklin, Tennessee. He is a regular contributor to Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s For the Church website and a staff writer at Gospel-Centered Discipleship.
