THE SYMBOLICAL MEANING OF THE LORD'S SUPPER

THE SYMBOLICAL MEANING OF THE LORD'S SUPPER

 

 

lb. The first meal was vitally associated with two other symbolical ordinances.

lc. It was between the feetwashing service and the Eucharist.
Matt., Mark, Luke, John and 1 Cor. make this clear.

2b.   It was necessary to carry out the full significance of the events of that evening.

Feetwashing - symbolical of cleansing in the present ministry of Christ in order to enjoyment of fellowship.

Lord's Supper - symbolical of the enjoyment of fellowship due to the future ministry of Christ.

Eucharist - symbolical of the basis in the past ministry of Christ at the Cross.

2b. The first meal was characterized by brotherhood, fellowship, and love.

lc. The apostle John was especially intimate with the Lord and others entered into this loving relation.
John 13:23-25

2c. Christ offered the sop as a toast of love and friendship to Judas.
This was a final effort to win him.
John 13:26-27 (cf. 18).

3c. Christ gave to his disciples the new commandment which later gave the name to this supper.
John 13:34-35

3b. The apostle Paul clearly refers to this supper as a feast and attaches to it the symbolical sense.

lc. He calls it a feast of which Christ is the very center. 1 Cor. 5:7-8

2c. He calls it the Lord's supper because he instituted it. 1 Cor. 11:20

3c. He makes it very clear that the meal is symbolical in significance. 1 Cor. 11:20-22; 33-34

4b. The significant thing about this meal as it was practiced by the church is the names which were given to it.

lc. It was called the Lord's Supper, which not only indicates that the Lord instituted it, but also that it was more than just a mere meal.
1 Cor. 11:20.

2c. It was called the Love Feast which not only indicates that it was a feast characterized by love, but one which was therefore more than a mere meal. (1 Cor. 5:7; 2 Peter 2:13; Jude 12).