THE GOOD NEWS COMES CLOSER

 

Exodus 12:1-13; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58

Introduction

Asomdwoe nka wo... Child of God, our sermonette today is on a sacrament and central practice in our Christian faith—the Lord’s Supper, also known as Communion or the Eucharist. This act is not merely a ritual as some assume, but a profound declaration of our faith and a means of grace through which we encounter the living Christ. Our Scriptural exposition will help us understand the depth and significance of the Lord’s Supper. We will reveal its roots in the Passover, its place in our worship, and its profound meaning as the sustenance of our spiritual lives.

The Passover: A Precursor to the Lord’s Supper

Our first reading from Exodus 12:1-13 takes us back to the origins of the Passover, a defining moment in the history of Israel. The Passover was instituted by God as a means of deliverance from the bondage of Egypt. The blood of the lamb, sprinkled on the doorposts, protected the Israelites from the destroying angel, symbolizing God's power to save. "The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt." (Exodus 12:13)

This passage shows that the Lord’s Supper has deep roots in the Passover. The Passover meal was a commemoration of Israel's deliverance and a foreshadowing of a greater deliverance to come. Just as the blood of the lamb protected the Israelites, the blood of Christ, our Passover Lamb, delivers us from the bondage of sin and death. Just as the lamb's body was broken to bring deliverance, the body of Christ was broken for our Salvation.

When we partake in the Lord’s Supper, we remember that Christ is our Passover Lamb, whose sacrifice on the cross has brought us salvation. The unleavened bread and the wine are not just symbols; they are reminders of the cost of our redemption and the extent of God’s love for us. We must therefore approach the Lord's Supper not as a ritual, but as a deep remembrance of the sacrifice for our salvation.

Living Wisely and Spiritually Alert

In Ephesians 5:15-20, the Apostle Paul exhorts us to walk wisely, making the most of our time, because the days are evil. He calls us to be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, giving thanks to God always.

This is about the attitude with which we should approach the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper is not a mere formality or tradition; it is a holy moment that requires us to examine our lives and our walk with God - "Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself." (1 Corinthians 11:27-29). Paul’s call to live wisely and be filled with the Spirit reminds us that our participation in the Lord’s Supper should be done with reverence, self-examination, and gratitude.

As we come to the table, let us do so with hearts full of thanksgiving, acknowledging the grace we have received, and committing ourselves to live in a manner worthy of the calling we have received. The Lord’s Supper is a time to renew our commitment to walk in the light, to live as those who are wise, and to keep our hearts and minds focused on Christ.

The Bread of Life: Spiritual Nourishment

In John 6:51-58, Jesus declares Himself to be the "living bread which came down from heaven." He emphasizes that whoever eats His flesh and drinks His blood has eternal life, and He will raise them up on the last day. It is worth noting that the body and the blood served at the Communion Table are significant to our eternal life with the Father and not mere bread and wine.

This passage is central to our understanding of the Lord’s Supper. Here, Jesus is not speaking merely of physical bread and wine, but of a deeper spiritual reality. The bread and wine of Communion represent His body and blood, which are given for the life of the world. When we partake in the Lord’s Supper, we are not just remembering an event in the past; we are participating in the life of Christ here and now which undersigns our eternal life with Him.

The Lord’s Supper is a means of grace by which we receive spiritual nourishment. Just as physical food sustains our bodies, so the body and blood of Christ sustain our souls. In Communion, we are united with Christ, and through Him, we are united with one another. It is a foretaste of the heavenly banquet that awaits us in the Kingdom of God.

So, what does this mean for us today? How do we practically live out the significance of the Lord’s Supper in our daily lives? A few points to consider;

1. Approach the Table with Reverence: Let us come to the Lord’s Table with a heart of reverence, fully aware of the sacrifice that was made for us. Before partaking in the Lord’s Supper, take time to examine your heart, confess your sins, and seek reconciliation with others. Do not see this as a mere ritual, but a sacred encounter with the living Christ - Sacramentum.

2. Live with Gratitude: The Lord’s Supper is a reminder of the grace we have received. Let this gratitude permeate every aspect of your life living with a thankful heart. As Paul instructs in Ephesians, give thanks to God always. Let your life be a reflection of the thanksgiving that overflows from your heart. Someone has said, "When you are thankful, your tank gets full."

3. Seek Spiritual Nourishment: Just as we need daily food, we need regular spiritual nourishment. The Lord’s Supper is not just a once-a-month event; it is a reminder of our daily dependence on Christ. Staying away from the Lord's Supper is an intentional starvation of the soul. Let us daily seek to feed on His Word, to be sustained by His presence, and to grow in our relationship with Him.

4. Walk in Unity: Finally, the Lord’s Supper unites us with Christ and with one another. It is a powerful reminder that we are one body in Christ (1 Cor. 12:13). Let us strive to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace even as we go to the polls for this year's general elections. Let us seek to build each other up, encourage one another, and live out the love that Christ has shown us. I stand for peace, and so are you.

Conclusion

As Christians, we must be ever ready at all times to partake in the Lord’s Supper when gracefully given, let us do so with hearts full of reverence, gratitude, and faith. Never skip or let it pass over you. Let us remember the great deliverance that has been won for us through Christ, our Passover Lamb. Let us live wisely, making the most of every opportunity, and let us seek to be spiritually nourished and united with one another in the love of Christ.

May this sacred meal draw us closer to our Saviour, strengthen our faith, and empower us to live as His faithful disciples in the world. Amen.

Shalom aleikhem...