The Table

Introduction

What we refer to as Lord’s Supper or Communion has a rich and deep connection that most NT Christians are unaware

Luke 22:14–20 “14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

We are going to connect the dots through the Scriptures to help us understand the meaning of Communion.

In addition, we are going to take Communion in a manner that is unorthodox the Western church today

Participation

Taking the meal was a sign or participating in Jesus

The New Covenant Foretold (Jeremiah 31:31–34; Ezekiel 36:25–27)

The Lord’s Supper is a new covenant meal, fulfilling what was foretold by the prophets:

A covenant where sins are forgiven, Hearts are changed, and God’s Spirit dwells within

Luke 22:20 “20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

1 Corinthians 10:16–17 “16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.”

1 Corinthians 11:24–25 “24 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.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.””

Mediation

The meal reflects on the blood sacrifice that make salvation and relationship with God possible

Sacrificial System (Leviticus) – Meal and Mediation

Certain offerings (peace/fellowship offerings) allowed the worshiper to eat part of the sacrifice (Leviticus 7:11–21).

This symbolized fellowship with God made possible by blood atonement.

The Lord’s Supper draws from this imagery: participation in a sacrifice that brings peace with God.

Paul echoes this in 1 Corinthians 10:18, referencing the Israelite altar. Living Memorial

Prophetic

The meal echoes the OT and NT prophetic utterances that equate the meal with a future hope

Messianic Banquet Prophecies (Isaiah 25, Psalm 23) – Meal as Future Hope

Isaiah 25:6–9 describes the coming kingdom of God as a great feast with “rich food and well-aged wine” where death is swallowed up.

These eschatological images point to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19), which the Lord’s Supper previews.

Provision

Reminder of God’s providing for Israelites during their wilderness journey for 41 years

Exodus 16; Numbers 11

God provided manna in the wilderness—sustenance that came daily and from heaven.

Jesus refers to this in John 6, explaining that He is the true bread from heaven Jn 6:35, 51

Begin serving the congregation

Identity

Taking the meal was part of Jewish law & culture and marked them as God’s people

The Passover (Exodus 12) – Meal as Redemption and Identity

The Passover meal was the defining event of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt.

The lamb’s blood saved the people; the meal marked them as God’s redeemed.

Jesus intentionally instituted the Lord’s Supper during Passover, making it clear that He is the true Passover Lamb (cf. John 1:29; 1 Cor. 5:7).

The unleavened bread and the cup of redemption were key parts of the meal—Jesus reinterprets them as His body and blood.

Exodus 24:9–11 – After the Mosaic covenant is established, Moses, Aaron, and the elders “saw God, and they ate and drank.”

Gratitude & Worship

The very first official type we see in Scripture was an act of honor, worship, and thanksgiving for God’s deliverance

Gen 14:18-20 – Melchizedek, a priest-king, offers bread and wine to Abraham. This is the first place these two elements appear together in Scripture.

Hebrews 7

Fellowship (Communion)

From the very beginning, God gave ma the option of which table he would eat from

Gen 18:1-8

Genesis 2:16–17 – The first human experience of communion with God was through eating.

The Lord’s Supper echoes back to man’s original state of communion with God

Conclusion