Union and Communion with Jesus

Devotions

Reading

NLT 1 Corinthians 11:23 For this is what the Lord himself said, and I pass it on to you just as I received it. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took a loaf of bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." 25 In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant between God and you, sealed by the shedding of my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it." 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord's death until he comes again.

Meditation:

Literal: Paul was rebuking the believers in Corinth because the love feasts at which their celebration of communion took place had become very much like a pagan party. People were getting drunk and the rich had nothing to do with the poor. The ugliness of pagan life had been “baptized” and now was part of their worship services.

Paul now reminds them of the simplicity and sincerity that should be part of our keeping the Lord’s supper by taking them back to the words of Jesus himself on that night. On a night of betrayal He gave thanks. Facing His own sacrifice for sins. He worshiped at the Passover meal.

The bread is my body – remember my incarnation and physical suffering. The cup is represents the shedding of my blood – remember my spiritual suffering. It is this maximum suffering that has brought you into union and communion with God. Every spiritual blessing we have has been given to us as a gift from Jesus the Christ. It is this faith that must endure until He comes again. Therefore, remember His love and sacrifice, and be filled with joy and gratitude.

In this vision of our Lord, suffering for us and risen again we can then escape from the insanity of our pagan culture just as the Corinthians were being asked to remember the real meaning of the Lord’s supper so that they could be free from the ways of their pagan culture. May the Lord grant us such a vision as we take the Lord’s supper.

Christocentric: The Lord’s supper makes it clear. All of our salvation depends on Jesus alone. He is the one who has given us a covenant with God. His blood has reconciled us. He alone is our Savior. He wants us to remember the wonder of His sacrifice and the reality of His return.

Moral: Turn from the ways and thinking of the world. Do not just “baptize” the world and bring its principles and spirit into the church. Seek to remember the sacrifice of Jesus and make this the center of all you live.

Eternal: The Lord ’s Supper is only the beginning of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb where we will eat of heavenly manna and know face to face communion with Jesus our Lord. Come quickly Lord Jesus!


Prayer: Help me take your supper in a worthy way. Give me the faith today to remember you. Help your people remember you. Give us a fresh vision of you today.


Contemplation: Remember me!

Action: Lord, help me remember your love every day this week and in every relationship.