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The LORD's Supper

This is a Bible study on the LORD's Supper.     Click here for a printable Bible Study Guide.

 

And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. Matthew 26:19-20, 26-29

 

 

What is the Lord's Supper?

Before Jesus was crucified, Jesus met and had dinner with His 12 disciples, but this was not just any meal, because this was the last time Jesus would eat with them in His earthly flesh body.

During this supper, Jesus told them about His eminent death.  Jesus gave them instructions, a way to remember Him, through the bread and drink that they had at their last earthly supper together.

Jesus told them that the bread symbolized His body and the drink His blood, and that they should eat and drink all of it.

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.  And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;  For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matthew 26:26-28

This was the last earthly supper that the LORD Jesus would have with all of His disciples together.

Jesus knew that He would be betrayed.  Jesus knew that soldiers would come for Him and take Him away to be crucified on a cross.  Jesus knew that He would be sentenced to death on His cross, to die for all the sins of all the people in this world.  Jesus knew that he would die on His cross, be bodily entombed in a grave.  Jesus knew that He would rise from His grave three days later in His new heavenly body. Jesus knew that He would see most of His disciples again in His Heavenly body, and be able to tell them of His return one day.  Jesus knew that He would ascend to Heaven and sit on the right hand side of His Father.

Jesus knew that the sufferings of this world could not compare to the glory that was set before Him.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

 

Why is the Lord's Supper called the Last Supper?

The Lord's Supper is called the Last Supper, because it was the last Passover supper that Jesus would have with all of His twelve disciples, in His earthly body.

Jesus knew all things that was to happen to Him on this earth (John 18:4).

Jesus knew that very night that He would be arrested.  Jesus knew the scriptures would be fulfilled that very night.  Jesus knew that He would be betrayed by Judas Iscariot for thirty pieces of silver.  Jesus knew all the events that would unfold that night.  Jesus knew the will of His Father for Him on earth.  Jesus knew that He would be tried and convicted to hang on a tree.  Jesus knew He would be crucified and He would shed His blood for the sins of all mankind on His cross.  Jesus knew His earthly body had to die on His cross, and all the work His Father gave Him to do would be finished (John 19:28, 30).  Jesus knew that He would die in His fleshly body, be placed in a grace, and Jesus knew after three days that His body would rise to life again, the firstborn from the dead (Colossians 1:18), resurrected to new life, receive a heavenly body, be seen by people and then ascend to Heaven to sit on the right hand side of the throne of God the Father, alive forever more, waiting His return to earth for all His own.

Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Matthew 26:31-32

The Lord's Supper was called the Last Supper because it was the last supper that Jesus Christ had with His original 12 disciples, the last time that they would all be together, the last time that He would be with them before He was taken away to be crucified, the last time they would see Him before He died on His cross, the last time they were together before His ascension into Glory.

 

Why did Jesus desire a last supper with the 12?

Jesus had a strong emanate desire to eat this particular Passover feast with His 12 disciples as we find in Luke 22:15 - "And Jesus said "With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer".

And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: Luke 22:15

There are many reasons that made Jesus' desire for a last supper with His 12 disciples - because He loved them so, because He knew what was coming soon, because He desired to prepare them and comfort them, because He knew it would be the last time they would all be together.

Love.  Because of the great love Jesus has for His twelve disciples, He gave them, gifted them, a last supper with Him, one they would always remember.  And not only the twelve, but all disciples of Christ could share and remember Jesus together, when we partake in the Lord's Supper. 

 

The gift of the last supper

Jesus knew what would happen, His betrayal, His arrest, His unjust sentence of death, His crucifixion, His death on the cross, His burial, His resurrection to new life, and His ascension into Heaven. 

The gift of peace and comfort.

Jesus knew the hearts of His twelve, and because Jesus loved His disciples, He wanted to prepare His chosen twelve for the events that would change their lives and this world forever.

Jesus gave His chosen twelve a very special gift in that last supper, a last supper they would never forget - a last supper we would never forget.  With great love and desire from His heart, Jesus desired to eat that particular Passover meal with His twelve disciples, before He laid down His life for all the people of the world and before He took His life up again (Luke 22:15).

The gift of remembrance. 

Jesus gifted all believers with the last supper.  All believers were given a gift of remembrance, a special way to remember our Lord and Savior. 

The gift of that last supper is for all disciples, all believers, all followers of Christ, that when we observe the Lord's Supper we remember Jesus Christ, His life on this earth, His sacrifice, His offering of Himself for all people of this world, His love, His death and resurrection, His promise of salvation for all people who believe in Him, and His promise to return on day soon. 

The gift of everlasting love.

Jesus loves us all so much that He gave His life as a sacrifice and offering so that all mankind could be reconciled to God and receive everlasting life in the Kingdom of God and with God for ever and ever (John 3:16).

The gift of eternal hope.

Jesus loves us all so much that He desired to give all His disciples (all the saved in Christ, you and me included) a gift of hope after He departed from this earth, the gift of the Lord's Supper, by which we can today remember Christ Jesus and all the works He did for mankind on this earth, when we recreate the breaking of the bread and the drinking of the cup, "this do in remembrance of Me" (1 Corinthians 11:24-25).

 

Thanksgiving for the gift of the Lord's Supper

Have you ever thanked your God for this gift, the gift of the Lord's Supper?  Thank Him right now.

 

Prayer thanking GOD for His gift of the Lord's Supper:

Dear Heavenly Father God,

Thank you so much for giving us your precious Son, Jesus.  Thank you for letting Him come to earth to be our final sacrifice for sin, so that we can be reconciled to You and receive the promise of inheritance into Your Heavenly Kingdom.

Thank you for Your gift of the Lord's Supper, so that by partaking in it, we can remember our Blessed Saviour and Lord. I pray that You will help me be a faithful witness, an obedient servant, blameless and worthy to stand before You in faith when You return.

Thank You Jesus for Your gift of life, everlasting life, that You have given me, by Your grace through faith. I commit all my life to You.  You alone deserve and have all my worship and praise, to You be all the glory forever.  I pray in the precious, holy, blessed name of Jesus. Amen.

 

 

What does the Lord's Supper symbolize?

When we observe the Lord's Supper we commune with God.  We give Him our love, our praise and our gratitude for His promises, the promise of eternal love, the promise of Hope, the promise of Salvation, the promise of Life eternal, and the promise of the Lord's return.

When we recreate the Lord's Supper by communion we are observing the Lord's Supper.  We are doing so to remember the last days of Christ Jesus in His earthly body on this earth and honor the selfless sacrifice He made on His cross so that we might be reconciled to God forevermore. 

Jesus said, "this do in remembrance of Me".

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till He come. 1 Corinthians 11:26

The Lord's Supper is to be recreated in remembrance of the atoning death and resurrection to new life of Christ Jesus, and for the atonement of all the people of this world.

 

 

Eat this bread

The bread taken, broken and eaten during the observance of the Lord's Supper represents the body of Christ Jesus, which was taken and served up for us on His cross for the remission of our sins, so that we might receive forgiveness of our sins and the gift of eternal life through faith in Him.

Jesus is the living Bread of Life.

And Jesus said unto them, I am the Bread of Life:  he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst. John 6:35

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. John 6:47-48

I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. John 6:51

The bread at the Lord's supper, represents Christ Himself.  Jesus is the Bread of Life, given freely to all who believe, so that we might be saved, and receive eternal life. 

Only by taking the bread of life, accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, can we live with God.  Only by believing in Christ Jesus to salvation can we receive eternal life.

And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:40

Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  John 14:6

 

Drink this cup

The cup represents the blood of Christ shed for the remission of our sins, and all the sins of the whole world.

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matthew 26:27-28

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. Luke 22:17, 20

After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 1 Corinthians 11:25

The cup represents Christ's blood, shed for us all for the remission of our sins. 

Without the shed blood of Christ Jesus there could be no remission of our sins (Hebrews 9:22).  Without the shed blood of Christ Jesus, we could not be reconciled to God and would remain in our sins, separated from God for all eternity. 

Through Christ Jesus' shed, spilled blood, we can receive remission of our sins, through salvation and be reconciled, made acceptable to God.

 

How often are we to remember Christ in this way?

The word of God does not set specific dates for remembering the Lord by partaking of the Lord's Supper. 

The Scriptures tell us to, "Do this (eat the bread, drink the cup) in remembrance of Me (Jesus)" (Luke 22:19), but the Lord God did not state how many times, or when we are to remember Christ with the Lord's Supper.

Most American Christian churches observe the Lord's Supper, some quarterly, some monthly, and some every week.  It is very important that you are part of an assembly of like believers who observe the Lord's Supper.

 

Why is the Lord's Supper called communion?

Communion means sharing.  When we partake in the Lord's Supper, we are sharing in the suffering of Christ, the breaking of bread (symbolizing His body) and the drinking of the cup (symbolizing His blood), we are remembering what He did for us so long ago on His cross (2 Timothy 2:10-11).

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

By the grace of God through faith in Christ Jesus we are saved from sin and death, if we remain in the faith (Ephesians 2:8).

The gift of God is eternal life, which is salvation from sin and eternal death (Romans 6:23).

Through faith in Christ Jesus for the salvation our souls, we are adopted into the family of God, we become the children of God in the household of God, and receive the promise of inheritance into the Kingdom of God (Galatians 4:4-7; Ephesians 2:16-19).

We are joined to the family of God through Christ Jesus and His salvation by grace through faith (Galatians 3:26; 1 Corinthians 1:10, 6:17).

We have communion with God the Father, and the Son Christ Jesus, and the Holy Ghost, by grace through faith (2 Corinthians 13:14).

We have communion with Christ, when we remember Him by partaking in the Lord's Supper. 

By observing the Lord's Supper we are sharing in the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus, we are sharing in His suffering, we are believing in Christ's death and resurrection to new life.  We must believe in the death and resurrection of Christ to receive eternal life in ourselves.

We share in the death of Christ by living in the faith, casting out sin from our lives, taking up our cross daily, denying our selfish ways, and following Christ, all the days of our lives.

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27

If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 2 Timothy 2:12

 

Can anyone take part in the Lord's Supper?

 

Faithful believers of Christ Jesus can take the Lord's Supper

Faithful believers of Christ Jesus take part in the Lord's Supper in remembrance of Christ suffering, His death, His shed blood, His one sacrifice for all the sins of the world for the remission of all sin once for all, His burial, His grave, His resurrection, His new Heavenly body, His new life, His ascension into Heaven, His victory over sin and death, His salvation, and His promise to return one day for His own.

To partake in the Lord's Supper you must discern the Lord's body.  To know the Lord's body, you must be born again.

Only faithful believers in Christ can discern the Lord's body, because they know Christ and understand His teaching. 

Only believers in Christ are made worthy in the sight of God the Father by receiving the salvation of His Son, by grace through faith.

 

The unbelieving are NOT to take the Lord's Supper

If you have not been saved by the blood of Christ Jesus, then you are not worthy to partake in the communion, the sharing of the suffering of Christ Jesus, by remembrance through the Lord's Supper.

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.  Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 1 Corinthians 11:26-29

God gives all people His warning through His Scriptures, saying if you partake of the Lord's Supper, eat the bread and drink the cup unworthily, then you bring damnation to yourself.

We also know through the Holy Scriptures that no one is exempt from the word of God; God is NOT mocked, what you sow you will reap, and it is a fearful thing to fall into the hand of the Living God (Galatians 6:7; Hebrews 10:31).

 

Who takes the Lord's Supper unworthily?

The lost, the unsaved, the unbelieving, the unrepentant take part in the Lord's Supper unworthily. 

Believers who without examining their selves, their motives, their sin, asking sorrowfully for forgiveness of their sin through repentance, who do not discern the Lord's Body are partaking in the Lord's Supper unworthily.

The Lord's Supper is not to be taken lightly or irreverently, but soberly, with respect and discerning of Christ's body for the act of grace and mercy He showed the world, when He gave Himself, His body, His blood, His life, so that we might receive eternal live and be reconciled to God forever.

 

Can Christ Jesus die again?

 

Jesus died once, and will never die again

When we observe Christ Jesus by partaking of the Lord's Supper, we are remembering the purpose of Jesus' life on this earth, we are remembering the death and resurrection to life of Christ Jesus.

Jesus told us to have a recreation of the Lord's Supper to remember Him, "This do in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19).

The Holy Scriptures tell us all that Jesus died once for all sin, and that Jesus will never die again (Romans 6:9).  Jesus will not die again, not for anyone and not for any reason.

By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.  For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.  Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Hebrews 10:10, 14, 18

The one-time offering of Christ was sufficient for remission of all sin for all mankind, and there is no more offering for sin (Hebrews 9:28).

Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.  For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Romans 6:9-10

Anyone who teaches that Jesus dies over and over is teaching against God, and is in danger of damnation, if they do not repent of their sins against God.

Anyone who teaches that Jesus can die again, is teaching against God, should be avoided, because if you participate in their lies, you are participating in their sin against God, and you are in danger of damnation, if you do not repent of your sins against God.

Do not be deceived, no one is exempt from the Word of God, for any reason, because God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), you will reap what you sow (Galatians 6:7).

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:31

 

Jesus abides in people, not in objects

Jesus is in Heaven with His Father until He returns to earth to gather His own to Him.

Jesus is in the hearts of all faithful believers.  Jesus says "Abide in me and I in you" (John 15:4).

Can Jesus become an object?  Can Jesus be placed in an object?  Can Jesus be an object?  How absurd!  Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, cannot and has not ever been placed in any object, or became any object, because the Word of God reads that Jesus Christ abides in the hearts of the faithful children of God.

Believing that Jesus Christ is in any object is sin against God and is unbelief.

Believing that Jesus Christ can die again, for any reason, is sin against God and is unbelief.

The unbelieving will never see God.  The unbelieving will never be accepted into the Kingdom of God.  The end of all unbelievers' life is eternal damnation (Revelation 21:8).

Teaching Jesus can die again, or that Jesus can be placed into an object, teaching anything contrary to the Word of God is pure blasphemy against God, and will in the end receive the eternal wrath of God, damnation and eternal separation from God.

God warns everyone in His word, that are false teacher that are all about in this world, spreading false doctrine, deceiving even the elect of God (2 Peter 2:1; 2 Timothy 3:13; Matthew 24:24; Romans 1:32).

Do not be deceived, you alone are responsible for your own decisions of this life, no one else. 

You alone have to answer to God on the day of your judgment for your life, and no one will be with you. 

You alone are accountable to God for your choices in this life, of who you follow and who you obey.  Obedience to men will receive damnation.   Obedience to God will receive resurrection to life.

Do not follow the unrighteous to hell, do not practice the commandments of men, for if you are living against the word of God, following the commandments of men, you are not obeying God, you are not living in the faith, but you are living in unbelief.  Unbelief separates anyone from God for eternity.

There is hope! Turn from your sin, repent of your sin, ask God for forgiveness of your sins, believe and obey God, not the commandments of men, and God promises to accept you, if you turn from your sin (Romans 11:23).

Only those who follow the will of God, follow His word and no others, believe in His Son for their salvation, can receive eternal life.

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.  He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 2 John 1:9

 

The Lord's Supper is to be taken by all believers of Jesus Christ in remembrance Him.  If you are a believer, you have the authority to partake in the Lord's Supper. 

It is not because of what we have done, but because of what Jesus did that we are able, acceptable to approach the throne of God.

Although we are all permitted by the grace of God to partake in the Lord's supper, we are also warned to approach the throne of grace with a repentant heart.  We are to lay aside all uncleanliness, all ungodliness, put away all sin from us.  If we harbor ill will toward someone, we are to reconcile with them before we come to the Lord's table.   We are to repent of all sin and seek the Lord's forgiveness before we join in the Lord's Supper.

The Word of God teaches that there is a wrong way to take the Lord's Supper.  As believers we are not to partake in the Lord's Supper if we are guilty of an unexamined heart.

We are to throughly and prayerfully examine ourselves, through the light of Christ.  God will spotlight the things that hinder our walk with Him.  There will be no doubt what we need to confess and repent of when we ask the Lord to show us anything that needs examination.

Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 1 Corinthians 11:26-29

When we take the Lord's Supper we are coming before the throne of God and as always this is a reverent moment.

All prayer is you coming before the throne of God.  The Lord's Supper is a very special time where people come together in one congregation, one unit, as one family united to honor one Lord.   This time of remembrance should be done solemnly and reverently.

 

 

The observance of the Lord's Supper means today what it has meant for believers during and after the original Lord's Supper - it is done to remember Jesus.

Believers observe the Lord's Supper today to give glory to Jesus for who He is today, for what He has done, to thank Him, to honor Him and to show the Lord's death until He comes back.

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.  1 Corinthians 11:26

The death of Jesus on His cross is the foundational teaching of the Christian faith.  Without the death of Christ on His cross and His resurrection to new life, we would all still be lost in our sins.  Jesus made a way out of sin and death for all of mankind.

The Lord's Supper means that I believe God's Word, I believe Jesus came to earth from Heaven, God manifest in the flesh, I believe Jesus walked on this earth as a man but always was and will be the Son of God, I believe that Jesus was justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, I believe Jesus preached to the Gentiles, Jews, and all people, I believe that Jesus was tempted just like we are but remained forever sin free, I believe that He was believed on in this world, I believe that Jesus was sentenced to death, I believe that Jesus was beaten, cursed and tortured for my sins, I believe that Jesus was nailed to a cross to die, I believe that Jesus was received up into glory, I believe that Jesus bodily resurrected from His grave after 3 days, I believe that Jesus was seen by multitudes of people before He ascended up on height, I believe that Jesus lives forever in Heaven, and I believe that some day very soon that Jesus will return for me, return for all of God's children so that we can be with Him forevermore.

The Lord's Supper means all of that and more, today.

 

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