The Lord's Supper, part 1: The body of the Lord

Rev. Enoch Thompson | September 8, 2023 | Matthew 26:26-30

KEY VERSE:

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Matthew 26:26 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

The Lord Jesus gave His Church the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper, also called the Communion. In today’s text, He gave them the bread of the Passover meal and put a new meaning to it. Similarly, He gave them the wine of the meal and gave it new meaning. We do well to understand the significance of this directive, and to approach the Lord’s Table, whenever we do, with due understanding and appreciation.

The Lord said about the bread that He offered to the disciples, ". . .. this is my body." We need to appreciate the body of the Lord. He had to take on a human body, which must subsequently be killed as the last and eternal Lamb sacrificed for our salvation. God took on a human body in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth. His coming into human flesh must be understood by His Church, and that truth must be communicated to the world whenever we celebrate the Lord’s Supper.

He took the bread, as He was taken by the wisdom of the Godhead, He gave thanks as we should give thanks for the Man of Galilee, and He broke it to show the battering, beating and heart-wrenching pain that He would go through in the next few hours, for our salvation. Then He gave the bread to the Disciples; Christ offered Himself to us and the world.

The accompanying instruction was "Take and eat.” As much as Christ is made available by the foreknowledge of the Father by the power of the Holy Spirit, we gain nothing if we fail to make Christ personal to ourselves. To eat the bread meant to incorporate Christ in ourselves so that we become the embodiment of Christ Himself. The food we eat becomes an inseparable part of us, it nourishes us and gives us energy to live and work. So, must Christ be incorporated in us, and so like Paul we can say “It is no longer I that live but Christ who lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20).

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Have you taken from the hands of the Saviour the bread which represents and is a memorial of His body? Have you so invited Christ into your life that you have become inseparable from Him? Are you receiving your life from Him daily?

We are also to take that bread of life and pass it on to hungry souls. Let us resolve to do these so that we might truly partake of the Lord’s Supper.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for your body that was broken for my sins. I now take of that body, I now eat of that body, and I now live by that body. May the body that was broken mend my body, soul, and spirit.

Lord, please give me the grace to pass on the message of the broken body to the hurting lost humanity around me, so that they may also find life, health, and peace. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! _____________________________ DAILY word study: BREAD The word "bread" in Matthew 26:26 is translated from the Greek word "ἄρτον" (arton). This Greek noun specifically refers to "bread," which is a staple food made from flour, water, and typically yeast. Bread holds great significance in various cultures as a symbol of sustenance and nourishment.

In this verse, Jesus is with His disciples during the Passover meal, which includes elements such as unleavened bread and wine. He takes the bread, gives thanks, breaks it, and shares it with His disciples, making a profound statement: "This is my body."

This moment is significant because it marks the institution of the Lord's Supper or Communion, a central ritual in Christianity. In this act, Jesus uses bread to symbolize His body, which will be broken for the forgiveness of sins. He is preparing His disciples for the events that will soon unfold, including His crucifixion.

The word "bread" in this passage carries layers of meaning. It represents sustenance, provision, and nourishment, which are central to the physical life of individuals and communities. However, in the context of the Lord's Supper, it takes on a profound spiritual significance. Jesus uses this common element to symbolize His self-sacrifice and the spiritual sustenance and nourishment that He provides to His followers through His body and blood.

This passage invites us to reflect on the significance of Communion or the Lord's Supper in our Christian faith. It is a reminder of Jesus' sacrificial love and the spiritual nourishment and forgiveness of sins that He offers to all who believe in Him. Bread, a basic and essential food, becomes a symbol of the profound grace and salvation found in Christ.

Reflections:

How does partaking in the Lord's Supper or Communion deepen your understanding of the sacrifice and spiritual nourishment provided by Jesus? How can you carry the significance of this act into your daily life and relationships with others?