Chapter 101
THE LORD’S SUPPER IS ESTABLISHED
Matthew 26:1-30
As it is our custom, before we begin this study let us pray.
Dear Heavenly Father, Almighty God
We come before You in the name of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Father God, as we go through this study please move upon us and open our spiritual ears, eyes and heart so we can understand the meaning and significance of our Lord’s Supper.
Amen
INTRODUCTION
For our study of the Lord’s Supper we will,
1. Briefly review the origin and purpose of the Feast of Passover.
2. Discover that the Old Testament Passover lamb was a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, the true Passover Lamb.
3. Find that the various events and activities that occurred prior to Jesus and His apostles’ last Passover were actually setting the stage for the establishment of the Lord’s Supper.
4. Read what occurred during the last time Jesus and His disciples celebrated the Feast of Passover.
5. Read about the institution of the Lord’s Supper and examine the symbolic meaning of the bread and wine.
6. Review some guidelines on how to partake in the Lord’s Supper.
With this introduction in mind, we begin by a brief review of the.
ORIGIN AND PURPOSE OF THE PASSOVER
As we read the book of Genesis we find that because of a very severe famine, Israel and his whole household migrated to Egypt for food. After a period of time they found themselves enslaved by the Egyptians. At the completion of 400 years of slavery, God raised up Moses through whom He would deliver Israel.
To release Israel from the hand of Pharaoh and to demonstrate that He is the Lord; God, through the hand of Moses, inflicted various plagues upon the Egyptians. After each plague Pharaoh was asked to release Israel from their bondage. Each time Pharaoh denied the request for freedom a new plague, one of increased magnitude and devastation, was sent by God. These plagues or judgments finally culminated in the last plague, which was the death of the first born.
To protect the first born of the Israelites from the destroying angel, God instituted what was called the Passover. To refresh our memories on what the Passover was all about, we begin by reading the following instructions our Lord gave to Moses and Aaron,
Exodus 12:1-13
"[1] The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, [2] "This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. [3] Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. [4] If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat. [5] The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. [6] Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. [7] Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. [8] That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. [9] Do not eat the meat raw or cooked in water, but roast it over the fire--head, legs and inner parts. [10] Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it. [11] This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the Lord's Passover. [12] "On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn--both men and animals--and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. [13] The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt."
Let us notice the following verses,
2 … The month of the Passover (that is Israel’s month of Nisan, which, depending upon the year, equates to our March or April) was to be the beginning of their new year. This was to signify that in this month the Israelites entered into a new life free from the bondage of Egypt.
5 … The male lamb was to be without blemish, that is perfect.
7 … A portion of the lamb’s blood was to be placed on the sides and top of the door frames of their homes.
11 … They were to eat the Passover in a state of readiness to flee from their bondage.
13 … To keep its inhabitants safe, the blood on the door frame was the sign for the destroying angel to not enter that household but pass over it.
In reading the New Testament one comes to realize that,
THE OLD TESTAMENT PASSOVER LAMB WAS A FORESHADOWING OF JESUS CHRIST, THE TRUE PASSOVER LAMB
To see this, the following three observations are offered:
1. The establishment of the Passover occurred just prior to the time the tyranny of Egypt was to be broken. It was at this time that the Passover lamb was slain and eaten. To demonstrate this was a foreshadowing of what would be fulfilled in Jesus Christ, we will find that Jesus’ Last Supper was also eaten at the time the Old Testament Passover was observed. This was also the night before that He, Jesus, the true Lamb of God was to be slain to deliver us from the tyranny of sin. Perhaps the best way to see this is for us to read what John the Baptist said right after he baptized Jesus.
John 1:29
"[29] The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"
2. The Old Testament Passover lamb had to be perfect, that is without blemish. As we know Jesus Christ was perfect, that is without sin.
1 Peter 1:18-19
"[18] For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, [19] but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”
3. The blood of the Old Testament Passover lamb was to be placed all around the door post. Then, when the destroying angel would see the blood, the angel would not enter the house to harm those inside. Thus, those covered under the blood of the Old Testament Passover lamb, were protected from the wrath of God. The New Testament teaches us that Jesus’ blood is our covering. In like manner, Jesus’ blood that was shed on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins saves us from the wrath of God the Father. To see this we go to,
Colossians 1:19-20
[19] For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, [20] and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
Let us now see how the various events and activities that occurred prior to Jesus and His disciples’ celebration of their last Feast of Passover were actually,
PREPARATIONS FOR ESTABLISHING THE LORD’S, SUPPER
First of all there was,
JESUS’ PROPHECY OF HIS CRUCIFIXION
To read what Jesus said, we go to,
Matthew 26:1-2
[1] Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, that He said to His disciples, [2] “You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”
Secondly, there was,
THE PLOT TO KILL JESUS
This plot by the Jewish scribes, elders and high priest is recorded in,
Mathew 26:3-4
[3] Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, [4] and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him.
Third, there was,
THE ANOINTING FOR JESUS’ BURIAL
To see how this event took place, let us read from,
Matthew 26:6-13
[6] And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, [7] a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. [8] But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? [9] For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.” [10] But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. [11] For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. [12] For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. [13] Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”
Fourth, there was,
JUDAS ISCARIOT’S CONSPIRACY TO BETRAY JESUS
This event is recorded in.
[14] Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests [15] and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. [16] So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.
The above four activities or events set the stage for Jesus’ death and the shedding of His blood.
The fifth and last activity was,
THE PREPARATION FOR THE FEAST OF PASSOVER
To read about this activity we go to,
Luke 22:7-13
[7] Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. [8] And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” [9] So they said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare?” [10] And He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. [11] Then you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ [12] Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.” [13] So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.
With all of the preparations completed, the stage was now set for,
JESUS AND HIS APOSTLES’ LAST PASSOVER MEAL
To read what occurred during this celebration of the Feast of Passover, we begin by reading from,
Luke 22:14-18
[14] When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. [15] And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. [16] For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." [17] After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. [18] For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes
While Jesus and His apostles were celebrating the Feast of Passover,
JESUS ANNOUNCED THAT HE WILL BE BETRAYED
To read what Jesus said we go to,
Matthew 26:21-24
[21] Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” [22] And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?” [23] He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. [24] The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”
Let us notice the following verse,
24 … This betrayal of Jesus was foretold through King David in,
Psalm 41:7-9
[7] All who hate me whisper together against me; Against me they devise my hurt. [8] “An evil disease,” they say, “clings to him. And now that he lies down, he will rise up no more.” [9] Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.
In verse 9 Jesus was referring to the following prophecy in,
Genesis 3:15
[15]And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”
Let us now continue our reading about Judas Iscariot’s betrayal from,
John 13:22-30
[22] Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. [23] Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. [24] Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. [25] Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” [26] Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27] Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” [28] But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. [29] For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. [30] Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.
Let us notice the following verses,
27 … After Satan entered Judas, Jesus told Judas to go and do what he conspired to do with the Jewish scribes, elders and high priest.
30 … IT WAS NIGHT In other words; everything was now ready and set in motion for the arrest, suffering and slaughter of God’s true Passover Lamb.
After Jesus Iscariot departed from the Passover table is when Jesus established the new feast, the feast of
THE LORD’S SUPPER
Before we read the way Jesus established His Supper, it is important for us to realize that unlike the Old Testament Passover, where the flesh of the lamb was eaten and its blood was sprinkled on the door post, we will not be eating Jesus’ flesh nor sprinkling or drinking His blood. Instead, Jesus taught the people then and now us that we will be using bread and wine or the juice from grapes as symbols for His actual flesh and blood. To see this let us read Jesus’ teaching about the usage of bread as a substitute for His flesh. To do this we begin with the following,
BACKGROUND
While on the shore of the Sea of Galilee Jesus, with only five loaves of bread and two small fish, in addition to the women and children Jesus fed 5,000 men. Afterwards, to catch up to His disciples who earlier began to travel by boat Capernaum, He miraculously walked upon the waters of the Sea of Galilee. Let us now read what transpired between the people and Jesus after they realized what had happened.
John 6:22-31
"[22] The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. [23] Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. [24] Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. [25] When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" [26] Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. [27] Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." [28] Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" [29] Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." [30] So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? [31] Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'""
Let us notice the following verses,
22-25 … Knowing there was no boat available for Jesus to use for crossing over the Sea of Galilee, the people asked Him when did He get here?
26-27 … Jesus told them the reason they followed Him was not because of who He is but only because He gave them food to eat. He then said that they should be more concerned about their spiritual need, which is the everlasting life that only He can give. It is pointed out that we see much of this same attitude today. Specifically, many people come to Jesus, not so much for the hope of eternal life, but primarily in expectation for Him to fulfill their physical needs and wants.
28-29 … Here is the “heart” of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Wanting to have eternal life, the people ask Jesus what work they must perform to earn it. Jesus responded by stating the only way you receive eternal life is through faith and belief in Him.
30-31 … The people responded by asking Him for a sign so they can believe in Him. In other words, they did not perceive that the miracles of the bread and fish and the walking on the water bore witness to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Instead, the people brought up the miracle of the manna.
As God gave the Israelites physical bread, that is manna, to nourish and sustain them during their journey to the promised land of Canaan, God has provided us spiritual food to nourish us on our spiritual journey to the promised land of Heaven. As we will see, not only did Jesus come to offer His body and blood as a sacrifice to save us from our sins, but He also came to be,
OUR SPIRITUAL FOOD
To see this, we return to the Gospel according to John and read from,
John 6:48-59
[48] I am the bread of life. [49] Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. [50] But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. [51] I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." [52] Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" [53] Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. [54] Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. [55] For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. [56] Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. [57] Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. [58] This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever." [59] He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum."
Let us notice the following verses,
48-51 … Jesus explained that He is the bread of life and not like the manna which was physical. In other words, He is the One who gives everlasting life. Jesus pointed out that even though the Israelites ate the manna in the desert, they died. However, whoever partakes of Jesus’ flesh will live forever.
52 … The people are confused and questioned; “How can Jesus give His flesh for them to eat?”
53-58 … Jesus again reaffirmed the truth that unless we eat His flesh and drink His blood we will not be raised up to eternal life.
The people still did not understand what Jesus was saying. They still thought Jesus meant they were to literally eat His flesh and drink His blood. The people, being non-believers, considered the spiritual things that Jesus was teaching them and us to be nonsense. In fact, this is exactly what the Holy Spirit teaches us will happen when an unbeliever hears spiritual truths, see 1 Corinthians 2:11-14.
To confirm Jesus did not mean they were to literally eat His flesh and drink His blood, let us now read Jesus’ response,
John 6:60-63
"[60] On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" [61] Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you? [62] What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! [63] The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
Let us notice the following verse,
63 … This is the key verse. It is the Holy Spirit who gives life not the flesh. As Jesus said, the words that He was speaking are spirit and life not earthy or physical. Thus, they must be spiritually understood or discerned.
With all this in mind, we come to the question of; “How do we spiritually partake of the body and blood of Jesus?” The answer to this question is twofold: (1) we are to read His Word and (2) we are to partake of His supper.
With the above in mind we begin by reading why,
We Are To Read His Word
To see this, let us remember that in verse 63 above Jesus tells us that the words He spoke (and now written in the Bible) are spirit and life. In addition, let us also recall the unity of Jesus and His Word. To refresh our memories, let us read the following,
John 1:1
"[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
Thus, as we reverently and prayerfully read or digest the Bible, that is the Word, we are spiritually partaking of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is why the Bible is sometimes referred to as spiritual food. For example, let us read how Paul referred to God’s Word as milk and solid food in,
Hebrews 5:12-14
"[12] In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! [13] Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. [14] But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."
The second way our Christian faith and belief is strengthened or nourished by Jesus’ body and blood is to partake of the Lord’s Supper. To see this let us return to Jesus’ last Passover meal and read how,
JESUS ESTABLISHED THE LORD’S SUPPER
To do this we return to the time after Judas left the Passover table and read from,
Matthew 26:26-30
[26] And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” [27] Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. [28] For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. [29] But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” [30] And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Let us recall that to strengthen the faith and belief of the Israelites and all their future generations concerning the great deliverance God gave them from the Egyptians; they were to periodically observe the Old Testament Passover. In like manner, to strengthen or nourish our faith and belief in Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made on our behalf; we too are to periodically observe the Lord's Supper. To see this, let us read another excerpt from what Jesus said when He gave His disciples the bread to eat in,
Luke 22:19
"[19] And 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.""
Given the significance of the Lord's Supper, we now come to some,
GUIDELINES TO PROPERLY PARTAKE IN THE LORD'S SUPPER
To help us understand the instruction for celebrating the Lord’s Supper, it is noted that in the New Testament days there were periodic times when the believing community would come together for what was called a love feast or fellowship meal. This was the time when they would all eat as a group. After the meal they would then celebrate the Lord’s Supper. For an example, let us read about the community in Jerusalem when they actually held all their possessions in common. This activity is recorded in,
Acts 2:44-47
"[44] All the believers were together and had everything in common. [45] Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. [46] Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, [47] praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people..."
Unfortunately in Corinth, the unity of the Body of Christ broke down and the common meal or love feast broke down into separate groups. Those who had plenty gorged themselves. Those who did not, well, that was just tough. To correct this practice, the Apostle Paul gave us the following guidelines in,
1 Corinthians 11:17-22
"[17] In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. [18] 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. [19] No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval. [20] When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, [21] for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. [22] Don't you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!
Let us notice the following verses,
17 … The way they were celebrating the Lord’s Supper was doing more harm than good.
18-19 … Within the body of Christ in Corinth there were factions and divisions (1 Corinthians 1:10-15). As stated in verse 19, some of these factions were developed by those who felt they were spiritually superior to the others.
20-22 … Those who were well off had no sensitivity or concern for their spiritual brothers and sisters who were in need. Thus, in addition to divisions along spiritual lines there were divisions along financial lines. In other words, they did not recognize they were all one in Christ Jesus.
This brings us to,
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SHARING THE LOAF AND CUP
In reflecting upon how Jesus celebrated His Last Supper, we find all His apostles shared from a loaf of bread and a cup of wine.
Matthew 26:26-27
"[26] 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." [27] Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you."
There is great significance to the fact that the apostles partook from a single loaf. Specifically, it teaches us that the Lord’s chosen, who are the born-again believers, are united in Him. To see this we go to,
1 Corinthians 10:15-17
"[15] I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. [16] Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? [17] Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf."
Thus, to provide us a visible reminder that all born-again believers are united in Christ; the bread served at the Lord’s Supper should, whenever possible, be one loaf (representing the Lord Jesus Christ) and broken or torn apart so each member of His body can partake of the same loaf.
For similar reasons, when possible, all should (as His apostles did) drink from a single cup. To continue our reading of Paul’s guidelines for the partaking of the Lord’s Supper we go to,
1 Corinthians 11:23-31
[23] For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, [24] 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." [25] 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." [26] For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. [27] Therefore, 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. [28] A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. [29] For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. [30] That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. [31] But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment."
Let us notice the following verses
27-30 … Here we find the seriousness of the Lord’s Supper. Specifically, if it is observed in an unworthy manner, the person who does so brings judgment upon themselves. This is why Paul earlier wrote that their gatherings were doing more harm than good. Consequently, as stated in verse 29, when we celebrate our Lord’s Supper we are to bring to mind and take to heart that: (a) we are gathering together as one body, that is the body of Christ and (b) we will be spiritually partaking of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
31 … Thus, to avoid judgment, we are to judge ourselves prior to celebrating the Lord’s Supper. This brings us to,
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JUDGING OURSELVES
Verse 31 raises the question of; “Does this judging or examining of oneself pertain to only how we are to behave during the Lord’s Supper?” (Or) “Should it be an all encompassing examination of our life?” The answer to this question lies within the following Scripture,
1 John 1:6-7
"[6] If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. [7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."
Let us notice the following verses,
6 … If I am living my life in a known sin that was not confessed and repented of, then I am not in fellowship with the Lord. If this is my situation, how can I possibly participate in such an intimate act as the Lord’s Supper? If in this case I did partake of my Lord's Supper, would I not be mocking the incredible sacrifice He made to save me from the very sin I refuse to confess and repent of?
7 … However, if I am in the light, that is all know sin was confessed and repented of, then I not only have fellowship with my Lord but also with all those that are His. If this is my situation, then I’m in a state of readiness to partake of the body and blood of my Lord Jesus Christ.
Thus, before we come to the table of our Lord, we should first examine our lives and sincerely repent and confess all known sin. Remember, when we do this, God promised that He will forgive us and cleanse us from our unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
"[9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
Blessed be the Lord forever,
Amen and Amen