Looking at the Lord's Supper

27th September 2021

Looking Forward

The current age of the church lies between two great events. One that is in the past and one that is in the future. The great historical event of the past is, of course, the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. The great event of the future is Jesus’ return. The whole life of the church and of Christians rests on these two events. Therefore, we are a people who, as we’ve seen, look back to what Christ has accomplished for us. 

But we do not only look back, we also look forward. 

While Jesus sacrificial work was finished on the cross and we enjoy justification and communion with God now, we will only fully experience the totality of our salvation when Jesus returns. This is why we are a people of hope. Hope that is grounded in what Jesus has accomplished. And hope that will be realised when Jesus returns. 

So Paul highlights the future aspect of our faith in his description of the Lord’s Supper when he writes, 

“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26) 

So, whenever we gather to partake of the Lord’s Supper, we are reminded of Christ’s return.  

Living with a Future Focus

And living with that future focus in mind spurs on our great commission and revives our hope. Remembering that Jesus’ is returning causes us to remember that He comes as judge. A judgement that we who are in Christ do not fear. But a judgement that many we know are not prepared for – so Christ’s return motivates us to fulfil the commission of making disciples that Jesus has given us. 

And remembering Christ’s return revives our hope. In the midst of present trials and difficulties, the reality of Christ’s return, which brings us into his perfect, eternal kingdom, provides strength for the day. It will not always be like this. The best is yet to come. That is not a promise of things getting a little better now. But the best will come when the trumpet sounds and you see Jesus face to face. 

Corrie Ten Boom, who helped Jews fleeing from the Nazi’s and was herself incarcerated in a concentration camp, puts it so beautifully, 

"When we are on the beach we only see a small part of the ocean. However, we know that there is much more beyond the horizon. We only see a small part of God's great love, a few jewels of His great riches, but we know that there is much more beyond the horizon. The best is yet to come when we see Jesus face-to-face." 

Looking Forward to Another Supper

It’s not only Paul who mentions the future dimension of the Lord’s Supper. Jesus himself said, 

“I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:29) 

Jesus is looking forward to another meal. The Lord’s Supper is a foretaste of something greater to come. It is, if you like, the rehearsal to something far more incredible. Lying ahead of us, when Christ returns, is the great marriage supper of the Lamb – when we will gather with Jesus and all his people for this great feast where we will worship and acknowledge His name.

As we take the Lord’s Supper, we can think ahead to this great event,

Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, 

“Hallelujah! 
For the Lord our God 
    the Almighty reigns. 
Let us rejoice and exult 
    and give him the glory, 
for the marriage of the Lamb has come, 
    and his Bride has made herself ready; 
it was granted her to clothe herself 
    with fine linen, bright and pure”— 
for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 

And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” (Revelation 19:6-9)

We are the blessed people who have been invited to this great supper, let us go and invite others also.