One of the objections against a weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper is that, over time, it will lose its meaning. This criticism is answered, in part, by understanding the richness and complexity of meaning in the Lord’s Supper.
A Memorial. The Supper is a memorial of the Lord’s suffering and death. When establishing the Supper, Jesus said the elements were to be partaken “in remembrance of Me” (1 Cor. 11:24-25). Memorials give us the opportunity to remember and reflect upon great sacrifices that were made on our behalf. Jesus made the greatest sacrifice for us when He suffered and died on the cross. As we partake of the bread, we are to remember the pain and suffering our Lord endured. As we partake of the fruit of the vine, we are to remember that One died for us so that we could live.
A Proclamation. Not only does the Lord’s Supper cause us to look backwards in faith, it also gives us occasion to look ahead with hope. Paul said, “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 Lord’s Supper is observed in the assembly. Each one who is partaking is professing their faith to the others. They are saying, “I believe Jesus died on the cross for me. I believe He rose from the dead. I believe He is returning to gather His own and bring them into the presence of the Father.”
A Time of Examination. Paul continues his instruction: “Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (1 Cor. 11:27-28). The Lord’s Supper gives us an occasion to look inward. Partaking in an “unworthy” manner does not refer to our personal worthiness to share in the Lord’s body and blood, for none of us is ever worthy of such a blessing. It refers to our frame of mind at that moment. The Corinthians were making the Supper a common meal (vs. 20-22). They were partaking in an unworthy manner. We must make sure our hearts and minds are focused on the suffering and death of our Lord during this memorial.
A Communion. Earlier in the letter, Paul told the Corinthians that the Lord’s Supper was a communion. “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread” (1 Cor. 10:16-17). The word communion is translated from the Greek word koinonia, which is the New Testament’s word for fellowship. The weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper is one thing that is to further bind us together as believers. In partaking with one another, we are sharing our faith and hope with one another.
A weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper could lose its meaning to one who has a shallow faith and surface understanding of our Lord’s suffering and death. You and I are expected to grow in our faith, understanding, and appreciation of Calvary. The sacrifice that took place there 2,000 years ago will never lose its meaning to a heart that has learned not to glory in anything “except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal. 6:14).