The Souvenir
A broken porcelain cup that has been glued back together would be considered by most people as trash to be tossed out.
However, to the couple who bought it in Italy during a honeymoon trip together, it can be one of the most valuable items in the world.
The key difference is that for a stranger, the cup has no significance, but to the couple, the cup triggers a memory of an important event in their lives.
Likewise, when the world sees Christians partaking of a piece of bread and a small sip of juice, they don’t see the significance. To them, it probably just seems like a weird ritual.
However, to us who know the significance, the Lord’s Supper triggers our imagination to return to the time where Jesus was suspended on the cross.
Looking at the broken bread, we think of the flesh on Jesus’ back being cruelly broken by the Roman flagellum. Then, turning to the juice (or wine), we picture Jesus’ blood flowing down the crucifix, flowing like a stream.
These internal pictures help us to focus on the truths that Jesus was wounded for our healing and that He bled so that we could be redeemed and receive forgiveness of sins.
Jesus has given us the Lord’s Supper as a holy souvenir to remember His death at the cross. Through the communion elements, our faith awakens and we are reminded how righteous we are now in Christ—not how sinful we are.
“For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread. When he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.” In the same way he also took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the Lord’s cup in a way unworthy of the Lord will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy way eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he doesn’t discern the Lord’s body. For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep.” (1 Corinthians 11:23-30 WEB)
Two wrong ways to partake of the Lord’s Supper:
1. Rushing through it by just quickly stuffing the elements in your mouth without pausing to discern the Lord’s body (bread is the broken body and wine is the shed blood of Christ).
2. Being sin conscious, acting as though Jesus’ finished work at the cross is not able to keep you cleansed from the penalty of all your lifetime of sins.
Partake of the Lord’s Supper often, and when doing so, don’t rush through it as though you are popping a common pill. Take time to contemplate, seeing yourself as healthy and n healed through Jesus’ body that was broken for you, and that you are forgiven and blessed because Jesus shed His blood for you.
Enjoy this special souvenir which Jesus gave you to remember Him by. It’s not just for sentimental value. When you partake of the Lord’s supper, you are proclaiming Jesus’ death at the cross, and in turn, you experiential the full benefits which He died to give you. That is, the total redemption from the effects of sin, death, and the curse!
The Lord’s Supper is one of the mighty spiritual weapons that aids us in spiritual warfare against every trick of the enemy. Learn to use your full arsenal of weapons here: https://bit.ly/silencing-the-serpent
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