1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-26
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Reflection
The celebration of the Lord’s Supper is one of the most significant things Christians do together. Whether they gather around the Lord’s table monthly or once in a blue moon, followers of Christ proclaim that only in Jesus can we hope to receive forgiveness and grace to live as he did. We do this to remember all that Christ has done for us.
Thinking about the past, of course, is nothing new. But in the Lord’s Supper, Jesus gives his people a gift that does more than let us look back and remember. By proclaiming Jesus’ death each time we celebrate the Supper, we also look forward and upward as we declare the ongoing power of Jesus’ death for his people today and forever.
Jesus offers his people a new kind of memory. Our salvation begins in the past, at the cross. But Christ continues to nourish believers with his crucified body and shed blood. Just as a daily meal gives us strength for our physical life, so also the regular celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection nourishes the spiritual lives of all who have faith in Christ. This is the “new covenant” (Jeremiah 31:31-34): the promise of God to strengthen believers with himself so that they can serve him faithfully.
God,
like the Israelites in the wilderness, we too have known Your love, and experienced Your care and provision.
You invite us to extend that love to the world around us—to care for others as deeply as we care for ourselves.
And so we bring the needs of our world before You now.
In Your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the many who do not have enough:
enough food to eat, or shelter to keep warm;
enough employment, or money to pay their bills;
enough medicine or medical care.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
We also pray for those who have more than enough,
but who still struggle to find meaning and purpose in life;
who indulge in dangerous or self-serving activities
to dull their pain or loneliness.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, Your grace reaches out to all of us.
You call us to live as citizens of heaven,
working together with one heart and mind.
Strengthen us to live in a manner worthy
of the Good News we have received,
offering our lives in service of Your kingdom,
where the last are first, and the first are last,
and there is grace enough for all.
Amen
Lord the eyes of all look to You in hope; and You give them what they need.
You open Your hand and satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.
We, too, turn to You again, longing to be filled— to drink from Your life-giving streams, to taste Your goodness and live.
May the time we spend together in Your presence nourish our hearts and minds; may it strengthen our relationship with You, and renew our commitment to live in this world as Your faithful disciples.
For You alone are God, the Source and Sustainer of life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Suggested listening In Christ alone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn9-UNer6MQ The Power of The Cross https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wcULqyoINg Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxvQV-xsfhs
