The Established Path of Discipleship

One of my favorite things to do is celebrate the Lord’s Supper. I grew up in a church context that observed the Lord’s Supper. However, it seemed like an inconvenience. They would observe it once a quarter, and it would be tacked on at the end of the service like it was an afterthought. Perhaps I am being uncharitable in my description, but that is what it felt like. I prefer that the Lord’s Supper be placed in the middle of the worship service because of its importance to our faith.

Paul communicates one aspect of the Lord’s Supper I appreciate in 1 Cor. 11:26: “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” As we eat and drink, that is, partaking in this covenant meal, we announce our Savior’s wrath-satisfying, atoning sacrifice. In remembering His sacrifice and partaking in this covenant meal, our souls are nourished, and our hearts are encouraged.

Another aspect of the Lord’s Supper I appreciate in 1 Cor. 11:26 is the forward-looking focus, “until he comes.” As we feast together, we are to look forward to the Second Advent of Christ. There are many reasons to anticipate the Lord’s coming, but why is the Lord’s Supper associated with His second coming? The Apostle John records the vision of a future supper:

Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” (Rev. 19:1-6)

Scripture anticipated this feast in Isa. 25:6-8, Matt. 1-14, Matt. 25:10, and Matt. 26:29.

We anticipate this supper with joyful expectation. We were blessed to be invited and blessed because we have been clothed in bright and pure garments washed clean by the blood of the Lamb. We rejoice because the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. When Christ comes, all enemies will be put under his feet. We rejoice because, unlike the feast described in Rev. 19:17-18, we have been delivered from the wrath of God. So, next time you partake of the Lord’s Table, look forward to the feast to come and rejoice!