Have you ever wondered, “What is the Lord’s Supper?” Maybe you’d like to know 5 new ways to make it meaningful. Wouldn’t it be great to partake in the Lord’s Supper with all your heart and mind? It’s wonderful to fully commit to something you are passionate about.
In this article, we will cover the burning question that is possibly on your mind: What is the Lord’s Supper? We will also look at five ways to make the act of partaking in the Lord’s Supper a more meaningful experience. If you are ready to dive in to learn more, I’m excited to share!
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What is the Lord’s Supper?
The LORD’s Supper was instituted by Jesus during the First Communion. It’s the time when Christians gather together to remember the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross for the forgiveness of sins. The Lord’s Supper is a time to take seriously and remember Him with love.
Definitions
I really like the way Core Christianity summarizes the definition in this way:
The Lord’s Supper is a ritual commanded by Christ in which believers eat and drink to strengthen their faith in God’s promises.
Their actual definition includes eating bread and drinking wine, as Jesus and His disciples did, according to the Bible. Luke 22:17-20 explains the entire reasoning behind what Jesus did and said about the Lord’s Supper and how they carried it out.
Because of dietary needs, like Diabetes and views on alcohol, many churches today use substitutes. They do not serve wine as part of the Lord’s Supper. Rather, they use unfermented grape juice. As a substitute for bread, they often serve portions of wafers or crackers.
The Gospel Coalition defines the Lord’s Supper in a more in-depth way. Let’s take a look:
The Lord’s Supper was instituted by Jesus to commemorate His death, to symbolize the New Covenant, to suggest to the fellowship of a people who were redeemed by God as they gather at Christ’s table, and to anticipate the banquet of Jesus that is yet to come.
Let’s look at a few elements of this definition. For me, when I don’t fully understand or remember what a word or phrase means, it helps to break it down into everyday language. In religious studies, we often know these words well, but it helps when explaining them to nonbelievers.
Commemorate
First, to commemorate is to monumentalize. It’s a specific way to remember something important. In this case, we want to remember that Jesus suffered on the Cross for the forgiveness of our sins.
New Covenant
Second, the New Covenant speaks of Jesus’s covenant with the people of today. The Old Covenant refers to the Law that was passed down to Moses from God. A covenant is often like a contract of new rules, regulations, or ways of living. We are saved by the New Covenant.
Redeemed by God
Third, we are redeemed by God. We are completely saved by Him who loved us and wanted us to be His children who believe in Him and trust His will for our lives. The entire Bible speaks of one story – God redeeming His people through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Anticipate the Banquet of Jesus
The final part of this definition says we are to anticipate the banquet of Jesus. In Biblical times, Jesus died and was raised again after three days. When He returns, why wouldn’t we throw a banquet in His honor, especially given what all He did for us and our eternal salvation?
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18
How to Make the Lord’s Supper Meaningful
There are many ways to make the Lord’s Supper meaningful. Get creative, or try one of these 5 ways that I have done to help me learn about the Lord’s Supper, focus during the time of communion at church on Sunday, and pray at the appropriate time to myself.
#1. Highlight your Bible.
If you’d like to prepare for the Lord’s Supper ahead of time, you could highlight your Bible in certain places. That way, when communion begins, you can turn to the passage and silently read it. If you have a bookmark to show you where to go, that’s even better.
Here is some guidance on places to mark in your Bible, if you wish to mark as I did.
First, I read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, which speaks of what Jesus said about why we keep the Lord’s Supper.
Additionally, I have a journaling Bible (a Bible with wide margins), which allows me to write in the margins. If you don’t have a journaling Bible, you could always just add a piece of paper with this information on it to your Bible.
My Bible Journaling
Here is what I wrote in my Bible.
THANK YOU, JESUS.
Christ took a human body and was tempted just as I am. He suffered for me in ways that I cannot imagine.
Jesus poured out His blood for me. I am saved from sin because of what He did for me. He sets me free and gives me righteousness so that I can live with Him forever one day.
- Remember Him. See Luke 22:19.
- Partake of Communion. See 1 Corinthians 10:16.
- Fellowship with the Body. See 1 Corinthians 11:18-20.
- Commemorate His death. See 1 Corinthians 11:26.
This may or may not help you as you partake of the Lord’s Supper. In my Bible, I also have the following Scriptures listed in the margins to meditate on during this time.
Places to Meditate:
- Psalm 6
- Psalm 32
- Psalm 38
- Psalm 51
- Psalm 102
- Psalm 130
- Psalm 143
- Isaiah 53
- Isaiah 55
- Isaiah 59
- John 13-17
- Romans 3
- Romans 6
- Romans 8
- Romans 12
#2. Quiet yourself.
Quiet your heart and your mind. Silence the noise. Listen for God’s voice, pray in silence, or wait on the Holy Spirit to guide you. If you have trouble staying still, practice meditation at home. While it might be challenging at first, the more you practice stillness, the easier it will get.
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. – Psalm 46:10
#3. Put distractions aside.
Distractions, like people talking during the Lord’s Supper, can make it very difficult to concentrate. While you might not be able to control who chatters in front of you, you can probably control a few things that make it difficult to pay attention to the meaning of the moment.
For example, it can be very tempting to check the notifications on your phone during the Lord’s Supper when it is offered at church. Instead of allowing that temptation to exist, turn off your phone during this part of the service at your church.
If you do not go to a church, consider starting. God will meet you at the doors. Just show up with a willing and loving heart and a spirit to worship our one and only God! There are many reasons it can be hard to attend church, but remember, you can do hard things, too! You are His child!
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” – Psalm 122:1
#4. Read a meaningful devotional.
You might find it helpful to read through one of these devotionals about the Lord’s Supper.
AT HIS TABLE by Dr. Ketchum is a devotional book with 53 devotions in it! That will certainly keep you busy for the year. Since many churches observe the Lord’s Supper each Sunday or every other Sunday, you will have a chance to read a new one each week. Check it out!
Experiencing CHRIST In Communion: 52 Devotionals for the Lord’s Supper by Gary Cottrell is a wonderful devotional book for much the same reason that AT HIS TABLE is! It has a devotion for each week of the year. Change your experience with the Lord’s Supper today!
The Lord’s Supper: Five Views by Gordon T. Smith is perfect if you are looking to dive deeper into the topic of the Lord’s Supper. If you already understand its importance, you might wish to read about how others view the Lord’s Supper and what they have to say about it.
Lord, Teach Us to Pray: Discovering the Power and Presence of God in the Lord’s Prayer is written by Dr. Bob Sawvelle. It teaches you how to pray in accordance with God’s Will while observing this special time.
Journaling with the Holy Spirit: Scriptures, Devotions, Prayers, and Praise to Connect with the Spirit of God by Bonnie Rickner Jensen looks so neat, so I added it to my wishlist! It’s a 52-week interactive devotional. Don’t you love to be active when you are learning something new?
#5. Pray a prayer of remembrance.
The prayer I keep in my Bible to quiet my restless soul and center my attention on the right things during the Lord’s Supper is as follows:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help me, O God, to rightly prepare myself to receive the Supper. Take away any darkness, doubts, and/or distractions – anything that might cloud this moment. Lord Jesus, please give me a faithful heart.
Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Lord’s Supper
These frequently asked questions about the Lord’s Supper should address any lingering questions about what it is and the additional concerns that often arise when partaking or considering partaking of “communion” or the Lord’s Supper.
What does the Bible say about the Lord’s Supper?
The Bible speaks of the Last Supper, which is the time when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, in Luke 22:19-20. You can also see 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 in the New Testament for Paul’s detailed instructions on how to keep the Lord’s Supper, even today.
What are 3 reasons we observe the Lord’s Supper?
Taking communion is a time for remembrance of what the Lord Jesus did for us on the cross. It’s also a time to declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We proclaim the truths that make up the Messiah. Finally, it’s a time to unify with other believers in your shared faith.
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
What is the warning about taking the Lord’s Supper?
According to 1 Corinthians 11:27-34, the warning about taking the Lord’s Supper is regarding partaking of it in an “unworthy manner.” Do not disrespect the sacrifice of Christ or fail to accept the church body as Christ’s body. Do not hold unrepentant sin and discord with other believers before taking the Lord’s Supper.
What’s the difference between the Lord’s Supper and Communion?
The difference between the Lord’s Supper and Communion is that they use different names or phrases to explain what is meant by remembering what Christ did for us and observing it. In other words, they mean the same thing.
What is the difference between the Lord’s Supper and the Last Supper?
The Lord’s Supper and the Last Supper are not the same thing. The Lord’s Supper is something we do in remembrance of what Jesus did. Many churches do this weekly or monthly; some more often than that. The Last Supper was the supper Jesus had with His disciples in Luke 22.
On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. – Acts 20:7
Conclusion
So, what is the Lord’s Supper? Do you now know how to answer that question? How will you make your time with God meaningful? We’d love to hear about which suggestions or ideas you have decided to implement. Leave a comment, subscribe to the newsletter, or email us!
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.” – 1 Corinthians 11:2407
