JESUS' LAST SUPPER
Luke 22:14
Luke 22:14
The Lord's Supper is a most gracious ordinance of the church. I believe it is a church ordinance. When I was young and did not know better I once took the supper in a non denomination Bible Conference. I would not do that now. I once heard a very popular preacher tell on the radio how he and some members of his church were on a picnic. There they decided to observe the Lord's Supper. They had no unleavened bread nor any fruit of the vine, so they used potato chips and soda pop. He concluded, "And oh What a Blessing!" Now my view to that would be "Oh what blasphemy!"
Our Lord used the occasion of His instituting the supper as a teaching experience. In verses 7-13 He observed the Passover with them. He sent His disciples ahead to see a certain man bearing a pitcher of water. They were to follow him into his house and request a room in which Jesus and the disciples would observe the Passover. He said he will show you a large upper room that we can use. This taught them of His omniscience. In verses 21, 22 He reminded them of Uncleanness among them as he predicted the betrayal.. It would also remind them of His approaching death according to Sovereign decree.
The Supper was also a revelation. Our Lord revealed the inbred sin of man that would cause such a betrayal. In the same narrative in Mark 14:18-20 He revealed the wickedness of their own heart. When He said to them that one of them would betray them, they each one asked, Lord, is it I.; They were made to see that they had enough wickedness in their own hearts, that they possibly could commit the awful deed. In verses 23-30 He taught them that with Him greatness was not earned by lording themselves over others, but if they would be great they must humble themselves to serve.
The Supper was also a revelation. Our Lord revealed the inbred sin of man that would cause such a betrayal. In the same narrative in Mark 14:18-20 He revealed the wickedness of their own heart. When He said to them that one of them would betray them, they each one asked, Lord, is it I.; They were made to see that they had enough wickedness in their own hearts, that they possibly could commit the awful deed. In verses 23-30 He taught them that with Him greatness was not earned by lording themselves over others, but if they would be great they must humble themselves to serve.
The Supper itself is a Memorial Feast. Its very purpose is to remember the Lord :19. It was a ratification of His Covenant :20. He said, "This cup is the new testament in my blood." Christ is said to be our Passover. In other words He reminds us that as Israel exited Egypt on the Passover, likewise we in Christ our Passover are to exit from the sins and philosophies of this world.
When you come together in our Lord's churches, eat the unleavened bread a symbol of His broken but sinless body and drink the wine as a symbol of His shed blood according to the New Testament. These things and many other remember as you remember the Lord.
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