The Lord's Table
 

The Lord's Table

1st Nov 2015     |     Malayalam

The Lord's Table

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread;  and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken  for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”  In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

1 Corinthians 11.23-26


God expects you to partake of his table. It’s a direct command, not an option for the believer. There is a blessing within it. The Lord’s Table is…

1. An expression
Jesus died on the cross and publicly displayed His love for us. As we come before the Lord’s Table, we express our love and declare that we love Him too. We’re letting the world know that Christ is ours.
Psalms 34.20 mentions that not one of Jesus’ bones will be broken. But we do know he was beaten and bruised, made to wear a crown of thorns, and nailed to a cross. His heart was pierced by a spear and every last drop of blood was shed for us.
At the Lord’s Table we remember that He gave His life to redeem us and publicly proclaim our love for him. Many of us lead lives so busy that we cannot come to the Lord’s Table. But He is faithful to prepare the way for us when we cease from our efforts and rest in His presence.

2. An explanation

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes 1 Cor 11.26
The bread signifies His body, and the wine signifies His blood. We proclaim that Christ died for our sins, rose again and will return for His church. We proclaim that he died in our place so we may have everlasting life. Whoever believes him shall not perish. We will proclaim this, through the Lord’s Table, until He returns. This is a Christian testimony.
Jesus declared that he is the door of the sheep (John 10.7). At night, flocks are put into a sheepfold. There is no door, so the shepherd himself lies down as a door. Any predator has to step on the shepherd’s heart to get to the sheep. Also if the sheep wants to leave, it has to step on the shepherd’s heart. Do not step on Jesus’s heart and walk away when he beckons you closer!

3. An expectation
No matter how tough life is, remember that Christ will return. Our life does not end here. Fleeting troubles of this world are bearable, because eternal happiness awaits us. There is reason for hope as you come before the Table.
Our Jesus is the resurrection and the life. No matter what comes against you, God will fight for you. The victory of Jesus is your own.

4. An examination
 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup 1 Cor 11.28
Examine your heart as you come before the Lord’s Table. Confess your sins and ask forgiveness. Check your relationships for envy, rivalry, competition spirit, selfish ambition. The Lord’s Table cleanses and purifies. Don’t treat this with disrespect.
Be humble even as Christ was. When the disciples were debating as to who among them was the greatest, Jesus got down and washed their feet.
When you experience riches, blessing or pain, what is in your heart emerges. You should have the mind of Christ, who prayed for those who humiliated and hurt him. Check your heart as you partake of the Lord’s Table.

5. An encouragement
Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another 1 Cor 11.33
The Lord’s Table is not meant to be partaken alone. It is a time of communion and fellowship, where you think of the others. It is where your selfishness is removed.


JOSHUA GENERATION MINISTRIES