The Table (Communion)Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-23
Mike Maglish
Part of Foundations for Followers
April 2, 2023
22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” —Mark 14:22-2514 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. —Luke 22:14-20
Jesus recentered__the __passover story
“Take; this is my body” (Mark 14:22)
RECENTERED: From unleavened bread (representing faithfulness) to broken body representing love & hope
“This is my blood of the covenant” (Mark 14:24); “New Covenant in my blood.” (Luke 22:14-20)
RECENTERED: From redemption of the Israelites to redemption from sins. From LAW to GRACE.
15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. —Hebrews 9:15
RECENTERED: From old covenant to new covenantWhat is the Lord’s Supper?
εὐχαριστήσας – eucharistēsas (Eucharist)
“And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said…” —Luke 22:14-20
The Seder Meal would have been a joyful time of thanksgiving for the Jew (Much like Christmas to the Christians). It was fun for the children and it carried much significance to them.
“COMMUNION” (COMMUNITY, COMMUNICATION)
Latin: COM (together) Unus (Oneness, Union)
16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. —1 Corinthians 10:16-17
The Lord’s Supper is a corporate yet unifying event for believersHow often should we take the Lord’s Supper
—Acts 2:42
Observe the Lords Supper as often as we canHow should we take communion?
The Table is…
A Gathering Place for Believers
Unifying (GOSPEL)
Sharing
Inclusive (Rank, Satus, Gender, Finances)
A Mirror (Attitude, Perspective and Behavior is exposed)
The Lord’s Supper is an opportunity to:
Look Back at the cross
Look around at the Church
Look forward in hope
Look up in Thankfulness
Look inward at self
Takeaway: Healthy churches reveal healthy Communion (Gospel)
