What is the Lord’s Supper?

We find an answer to this question in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.

First, it is a tradition. Paul writes: “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you…” Traditions can stifle spirituality. Jesus himself criticized “the Pharisees and teachers of the law” when he said, “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men” (Mark 7:8). But Jesus also instituted traditions such as the Lord’s Supper (cf. Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, and Luke 22:17-20). When we eat the Lord’s Supper, we are taking–across the generations–food from his hand.

Second, it is a meal. Paul writes, “The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread… In the same way, after supper he took the cup…” More specifically, the Lord’s Supper is part of a meal during which food symbolizes important spiritual truths.

Third, it is an act of thanksgiving. Paul writes about Jesus, “when he had given thanks [for the bread], he broke it…” Too often, we eat food without seeing behind it the hand of a kind and loving God who provides for our needs. The Lord’s Supper re-orients us toward God with an attitude of gratitude.

Fourth, it is spiritually significant. Jesus says of the bread, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” And of the cup he says, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” Catholics interpret these verses literally. The bread and cup become the body and blood of Jesus. They are his “real presence.” Protestants generally interpret these verses metaphorically–correctly so, in my opinion. In either case, however, the material qualities of the bread and the cup do not exhaust their significance. The material points beyond itself to the spiritual. When we eat and drink, Jesus invites us to do so “in remembrance of me,” specifically, his death on the cross.

Fifth, it is an act of evangelism. Paul writes, “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” As Christians, we believe that Jesus entered the world to save us. In pursuit of that end, he evangelized, healed, died, rose again, and ascended into heaven. Christians live at the present time between memory and hope. We remember the death of Jesus, which graciously atones for our sins and unites us to God and to one another. We hope for his second coming, at which time he will usher in a universal reign of justice and peace.

Evangelism is a verbal act. It is also a non-verbal act, however. It consists of words and deeds. Our deeds demonstrate the sincerity of our words, and our words explain the meaning of our deeds. The world needs both to hear our words and see our deeds for the gospel to be believable to them.