The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper

We Are Invited To The Table

Old Testament Lesson

Exodus 12:5–11 “The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. Do not eat the meat raw or boiled in water, but roast it over a fire—with the head, legs and internal organs. Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it. This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the Lord’s Passover.”

New testament Lesson

Matthew 26:26–29 “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.””

1 Corinthians 11:23–29 “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.”

Two weeks ago I introduced the first of the two sacrament that we observe as members of the Covenant of Evangelical Presbyterians, baptism. Today we are going to look at Holy Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper, and the Eucharist. Eucharist is derived from the Greek word “to give thanks.” All three are interchangeable. I don’t use Eucharist very often in our observances of Holy communion. All three of the synoptic gospels include the story of this meal as well as Paul writing to the Corinthians which is the account frequently used.

When Jesus instituted the first communion meal it was in observance of the Passover meal that he was sharing with his disciples. The passover was in commemoration of the Exodus from Egypt. As we read in our Old Testament lesson the manner in which the meal was prepared and eaten was spelled out. The passover lamb was a representation of the blood shed by an animal for the forgiveness of sin. Everyone in the family was included in the meal. It was customary for the youngest child to ask the question, why do we do this. The explanation was given. The repetition of this meal was a reminder to never forget how God rescued his people from slavery in Egypt.

All Christian churches that I am familiar with celebrate this meal. there are some different ideas about how it should be interpreted. One of these differences can be described as the trajectory.

Descent;

This theory teaches that Jesus descends to us in the bread and wine. He is present in goodness of the material world. This idea is practiced by Roman Catholics, Lutherans, and some Anglicans/ Episcopalians. There is a strong emphasis on visual arts such as the architecture of the buildings, sculptures, paintings. The presence of Jesus in the world is emphasized.

Ascent; sometime referred to as the vertical trajectory.

This is the idea used by Eastern Orthodox, Presbyterian, Reformed and some Methodists, that we are lifted up to heaven by the Holy Spirit. We go up to be with Jesus for union with him in his divinity. He doesn’t come down to be with us. The words of the institution, He invites us to be with him. Eastern Orthodox might refer more to his humanity and make use of icons and pictures. Those in the reformed tradition thing more of being in the sanctuary of heaven. Reformed churches do not have icons , a plainer sanctuary, most will not have pictures of Jesus in their sanctuary. We cannot accurately picture Jesus so better to not try.

There is a story of a little boy in Sunday School who was bent over really concentrating on a drawing. The teacher asked him what he was drawing and he replied a picture of Jesus. While the teacher admired his effort, she said we don’t really know what Jesus looked like. The boy said when I am finished with my picture they will.

The third trajectory is Horizontal.

This is the teaching of Baptists, some Methodists, and non- Denominational churches. The Holy Spirit is present to guide through prayer and meditation on the death of Jesus. the focus is more on the death of Jesus not on the real presence or present work of Jesus in heaven. Looking back not thinking of the real presence of Jesus. Whereas the first two emphasis the real presence of Jesus, all three agree that the sacraments are a sign of grace, but disagree about the nature of the signs and symbols.

One of the teachings on the Lord’s Supper is on Transubstantiation. This is the teaching that The bread becomes the flesh of Jesus and the wine becomes the blood of Jesus. This would be taught most often in the first category of Descent. Particularly in the Roman Catholic Church. Edward Leigh wrote against this teaching at great length. He listed different arguments about why he felt that it does not take place, beginning with the first meal when Jesus taught his disciples.

1. Christ would have to hold himself in his own hands and eat and drink his own flesh . according to the gospels he ate with his disciples.

2.Christ would have needed two bodies, one broken and one whole having the blood that holds the cup.

3.Christs blood would have been shed before the Crucifixion.

4. His body would have to be in a thousands of pieces.

5. A body is finite and can’t be in many places.

6. The same thing would be and not be at the same time.

7. Inhumane, only cannibals eat human flesh.

8. Our senses would be deceived.

9. There is no change of the water in the sacrament pf Baptism. It too is a sign like the Supper.

I remember hearing a story about two ministers who got into a heated argument about transubstantiation. The one who did not practice it challenged the believer to have his stomach pumped to see whether the bread and wine had changed when he ate it. The stomach was not pumped and neither man was convinced to change his belief.

Jesus’ words recorded by Matthew state that this is the blood of the new covenant. I think this is an important point. It is a new covenant the old law has been fulfilled. The next part for many. Jesus’ blood is all sufficient, it is for many. It will never run out. We can have hope in salvation through Jesus cleansing blood.

Paul writes in I Cor. That the words of the Lord’s supper were revealed to him unlike the Apostles who were present with Jesus when he introduced Holy Communion.

Paul adds; That whoever eats or drinks in an unworthy manner is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of Jesus. Everyone should examine themselves before the participate in the Lord’s Supper. We are all sinners and we should pray for forgiveness before we partake.

The question is often asked How often should we celebrate Holy Communion? Different churches have different practices and there is no set rule. Some churches have it every week, We celebrate once a month as well as special times in the church calendar. When i grew up it was the first Sunday of every quarter and everyone was expected to attend at least twice a year. The elders would visit those who did not attend. Some churches might only celebrate twice a year. This is often after a time of fasting and washing each others feet. One of my professors was involved with the writing of the Essential Tenents of ECO. She said her preference would be every Sunday.

I would like for you to remember that this is the Lord’s Supper that we celebrate. That we are lifted up into his presence by the Holy Spirit. That the bread and juice represent Jesus’ body and blood, sacrificed for the cleansing of our sin. That we examine ourselves and do not take this meal for granted .