The Lord’s Supper Mark 14:22-25 (2)
Notes
Transcript
Three times a month, Jermaine Washington and Michelle Stevens get together for what they call a "gratitude lunch." With good reason! Washington donated a kidney to Stevens, whom he described as "just a friend." They met at work where they used to have lunch together. One day Michelle wept as she spoke about waiting on a kidney donor list for 11 months. She was being sustained by kidney dialysis, but suffered chronic fatigue and blackouts and was plagued by joint pain. Because Washington couldn't stand the thought of watching his friend die, he gave her one of his kidneys. When you've got something great to be thankful for, having a "gratitude lunch" is a great way to celebrate.
Jesus invites His disciples to share a memorial meal with Him.
Jesus invites His disciples to share a memorial meal with Him.
The Lord’s Supper is:
I. Symbolic Sustenance v. 22
I. Symbolic Sustenance v. 22
When Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper, we believe that He is speaking symbolically
Jesus has gathered with the disciples to share the Passover meal
At this commemorative meal, the leader of the group would point to specific elements of the meal and demonstrate how they represented different aspects of God’s work to deliver His people from Egypt.
In the same way, we believe that Jesus used two particular elements, the bread and the wine as symbols of the work that He would fulfill on the Cross
There are several ways that Christians have understood this over the years:
Catholic view- transubstantiation
Luther’s view-consubstantiation
Calvin’s view- spiritual feast/symbolic
Zwingli’s view- memorial/symbolic
We here at FBC view the Supper in this last sense, as a memorial meal to remember the sacrifice of Christ
We do not believe that Christ is present and a more unique way than at any other times in the life of His people at the Lord’s Supper
However, that doesn’t mean that the supper is “just” a symbol!
The memorial meal still has a sustaining purpose in the lives of Jesus’s disciples
It is a time to remember the body that was broken for us and the blood that was shed
It is a time of focus in worship that strengthens us in our faith; this is not because there is an innate power to the elements or a unique act of authority that takes place under the leadership of a pastor.
The strength comes as we obey the command and remember what Christ has done for us and the hope that it has secured for us
When I was a child, I would watch Popeye cartoons on tv. I always remember how he would find himself in a bad spot, overmatched and overwhelmed by Bluto, trying to rescue Olive Oyl. Thankfully, one can of spinach was enough to swell his biceps and put the enemy to flight. That’s not exactly what takes place at the Lord’s Table, but it does sustain us and strengthen us. I think we would all do well to go there far more often!
II. Shared Hope v. 23
II. Shared Hope v. 23
There’s a second item that I think is noteworthy here: Jesus serves all of the disciples together. The entire experience is one of unity within the body of Christ
We do not see this practiced as an individual act, but a corporate one.
Further, it is not given to a part of the church, a ministry of the church, or a parachurch organization, but to the church
We believe that the best way to practice this is as a united body, if at all possible; there are always exceptional circumstances, but this should be the norm
Who then, should be partaking of the Lord’s Supper?
We believe that it is open and shared amongst the wider Body of Christ, not limited to those who belong to our local fellowship
At the same time, it is closed and limited to those who have professed faith in Christ and demonstrated that faith through water baptism
It is both inclusive and exclusive at the same time
The Supper represents our shared hope in Jesus and His death; it is for all who are found in Him
The Supper holds boundaries and is not designed for those who have not demonstrated faith in Christ (a boundary that we define by baptism as a profession of faith)
The Lord’s Supper should be a reminder of all that Christ has done for us and it should look ahead to all that Christ has for us
We must not be afraid to set boundaries! My testimony is that this proclamation of the exclusive nature of the Gospel, withheld from me, was a tool God used to show me that I was separated from Him. Just as I couldn’t enjoy the bread and cup, I also could not enjoy the shared hope of God’s people. We cannot tell lies to lost people!
III. Statement of Faith vv.24-25
III. Statement of Faith vv.24-25
Finally, the Lord’s Supper points us to two realities:
First, we see what Christ has done: He has fulfilled a new covenant
The old covenant was marked by the blood of rams, lambs, and goats and could not really save
But the new covenant in the blood of Christ is perfect!
Our hope is found at a table where a better priest made a better sacrifice for us!
Hebrews 10:11–14
[11] And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. [12] But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, [13] waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. [14] For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. (ESV)
Second, we see what Christ has ahead:
A time of separation is coming; the disciples will not be present with Jesus physically for another Passover
However, a day will come when we share with Him in His kingdom
Our hope is found at a table where all of Jesus’s disciples share His presence and celebrate His saving work forever
Hebrews 12:22–24
[22] But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, [23] and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, [24] and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. (ESV)