AND THEY SHARED IN THE LORD’S SUPPER

Neil Bester

• Acts 12:5 – Peter’s arrest and release from prison

• Jesus’ pattern of prayer (Mark 1:21-39)

• Jesus’ teaching on prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)

But the church prayed …

… and they shared in the Lord’s Supper

• Old Testament: a sign of companionship and hospitality• New Testament: continues and enriches the symbol• Jesus’ temptation• In the Lord’s prayer• Feeding the multitudes• Jesus as the Bread of Life• The Last Supper

Bread in the Bible

• Jesus’ trademark – companionship and hospitality

• In His general meals:

• He invited people from all walks of life

• Particularly those who were excluded

•Modelled God’s hospitality

Jesus and meals

The Last Supper

Luke 22: 19-20 NIVAnd he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”

• A community meal – ‘prepare for us’

• Association with the Jewish Passover

• Sacred symbols – representing a greater reality

The Last Supper

• Bread – Jesus’ body broken and given for you

•Wine – New Covenant in My blood poured out for you

• Both symbols speak of Jesus’ sacrifice

• Do this in remembrance of Me

The Last Supper

The Corinthian Supper

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.

1 Corinthians 11: 23-26 NIV

• Paul cites the Jesus tradition

• Remembrance

•More than a historical acknowledgement

• Proclaim His death until He comes

The Corinthian Supper – True Purpose

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.

1 Corinthians 11:27-29 NIV

• In an unworthy manner

• Sinning against the body and blood

• Examine themselves before the meal

• Eat and drink judgement on themselves

The Corinthian Supper – The Manner(Personal)

In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter!

1 Corinthians 11:18-22 NIV

• The Corinthian problem

• There are divisions – ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’

• Reinforcing a 1st century socio-cultural model

• Disregarding the redeemed community

• It is not companionship/a communion

The Corinthian Supper – The Problem

• In an unworthy manner

• Sinning against the body and blood

• Examine themselves

• Eat and drink judgement on themselves

The Corinthian Supper – The Manner(Community)

That is why many among you are weak and ill, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further instructions.

1 Corinthians 11:30-34 NIV

• Judgement

• Some are ill

• Some have ‘fallen asleep’

• Discipline

• So as not to be finally condemned

The Corinthian Supper – Consequences

• Our current context is very different

• Our sacred symbols

Our Supper

• A community table – for believers

• A table of remembrance

• A table of proclamation

• A table of grace

Our Supper

Context: On the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)

The Emmaus Supper

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

Luke 24:30-32 NIV

• A significant post-resurrection appearance

• Note the role of the Scriptures

• Recognition linked to breaking of bread

The Emmaus Supper

Luke 22:19-20 NIVAnd he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

Luke 24:30-32 NIV

Taken

Blessed

Broken

Given

Application

Jesus shared the last supper with:

• Peter – the denier

• The disciples – the deserters

• Thomas – the doubter

• Judas – the betrayer

• Family

The Table of Grace

AND THEY SHARED IN THE LORD’S SUPPER