Grace and Peace Episode 38

Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard
Grace and Peace Episode 38
Presbyterian Church of Easton
June 6, 2021

Watch Episode 38

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2

Heidelberg Catechism
75Q.  How does the holy supper remind and assure you that you share in Christ’s one sacrifice on the cross and in all his benefits?
A. In this way:  Christ has commanded me and all believers to eat this broken bread and to drink this cup in remembrance of him. With this command come these promises:  First, as surely as I see with my eyes the bread of the Lord broken for me and the cup shared with me, so surely his  body was offered and broken for me and his blood poured out for me on the cross.  Second, as surely as I receive from the hand of the one who serves, and taste with my mouth the bread and cup of the Lord, given me as sure signs of Christ’s body and blood, so surely he nourishes and refreshes my soul for eternal life with his crucified body and poured-out blood.

Every month we gather around the communion table for the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.   We do this because Jesus commanded us to do it. 

Luke 22:19 Then he took a loaf of 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.” 

So whenever we gather around the communion table we remember the meal when Jesus told this to his disciples.   Communion is therefore a memorial feast.  But it is much more.  It is also spiritual nourishment, the food we need as we prepare for eternal life.  

But Jesus also said that in communion we eat his body and drink his blood.  What could he possibly mean by this?  It means that as we come around the communion table we accept Christ’s suffering and death through which we receive forgiveness and eternal life.  We also receive the gift of the Holy Spirit so that through our lifetimes we become more and more like Christ.  

So every time we come for the Sacrament of the Lord’s supper we remember all that Jesus did for us.  We eat the spiritual food our souls need for eternal life.   We accept the forgiveness and eternal life paid for by Christ’s sacrifice.   And with the aid of the Holy Spirit we become more and more like Christ.  Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the blessing of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.   Help us to remember all the things Jesus did for us and all the Holy Spirit is doing for us now.  We thank you for allowing us to feast on your heavenly food.   In Jesus’ name we pray.   Amen.