The Table of the Lord

Background Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11
Lesson Scripture: Luke 22:14–20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–30

Introduction

“The Table of the Lord,” referring to the Communion table, is not a common New Testament term, although 1 Corinthians 10:21 infers that meaning. Truly the Communion table is the table of the Lord.

For many centuries in the Old Testament there was unbroken bread on the table of the shewbread, first in the tabernacle and later in the temple. This unbroken bread signified Christ, who would come and be broken to fulfil the old covenant. Today, the bread and the juice are sanctified in our Communion in remembrance of our Savior’s suffering and death in the fulfillment of God’s sacrifice for our salvation.

Key Verse

Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 Cor. 5:8).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

The disciples were very familiar with the Passover and had likely observed it several times with Jesus. They must have sensed, though, that this one was of special solemnity and importance. Little did they know what that evening was to hold, and they likely did not grasp its full significance until later. The observance of the last Passover and the first Communion around the same table clearly portrayed the complete fulfillment of the former in the latter.

Most likely after the Passover meal and before the Communion service, Jesus left His place at the table and, to the disciples’ surprise, took off His mantle and girded Himself with a towel. Then, He quietly moved down the row, gently taking each of their feet in His hands and washing them, dirty as they were. When that was completed, he took His place at the table again and explained to them what He had done and how they should wash each other’s feet. That act has deep meaning of servanthood in the gospel. Our fellowship and unity are exemplified in the ordinance of feet-washing. As we have been washed by the Word and extend our feet to our brethren to be washed, it is a testimony of humility and fervent charity, as well as our willingness to be washed of one another.

As nearly as the Scriptures can be understood, Jesus then took bread and gave thanks. Was it a new loaf, or bread left over from the Passover? What did He thank God for? His giving of thanks in that hour is a beautiful example for us. He broke the bread, calling it His broken body. Then He took the cup, and our lesson text is clear that it was after supper, signifying a new covenant distinct from the observance of the Passover. This cup, He told them, signified His blood, shed for their sin and for every sin in the world. It was surely with wonder that they looked at the remnants of the Passover meal as they partook of the Communion. They understood the Passover’s commemoration of deliverance from Egypt, but did they grasp the meaning of this commemoration of the blood of the Lamb of God and their deliverance from sin in Him?

Paul’s detailed explanation of the first Communion and his understanding of its meaning, which he says he “received of the Lord,” are inspiring. In our Communion services, it is a blessing when we likewise receive a divine revelation of its personal significance for us. Paul also gave special warning to those who partake unworthily. In Luke’s account of the first Communion, Judas was no longer present. The sin in his heart would have made him an unworthy participant. Likewise, for us to partake unworthily is to share in the Communion while harboring known sin in our heart. We are unworthy if we have not spiritually partaken of the body and blood of the Lord unto salvation. Paul said that such do not discern the Lord’s body. Jesus spoke of that when He said, “Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you” (John 6:53).

Abraham, the father of faith, may have been the first person to partake of Communion. “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God” (Gen. 14:18). The full significance of that ceremony is unknown, but in the book of Hebrews Jesus is repeatedly referred to as a priest “after the order of Melchisedec” (Heb. 6:20). Was Melchisedec’s meeting with Abraham a forerunner of this precious New Testament sacrament?

Practical Truths for Today

Sometimes in a Communion service it is commented that as many grains have been ground and mixed into one loaf and many grapes pressed into one juice, so we have lost our individual identity and are united in one body. Communion is also sometimes defined as a “common union.” Although these are apt applications, they are not the reason for the Communion.

Jesus is the emphasis of our Communion. He said, “This do in remembrance of me.” Of what significance is the shedding of His blood and broken body? “Without shedding of blood is no remission” (Heb. 9:22). The great multitude described in the Revelation are those who “have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev. 7:14). “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isa. 53:5). “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust” (1 Pet. 3:18). These verses speak clearly of His suffering and death to secure our redemption.

Untold lambs were sacrificed during the time of the law, symbolic of the coming Lamb of God whose blood alone atones for sin. Those lambs were not subject to prolonged suffering but were killed as mercifully as possible. Why, then, did God require that His beloved Son suffer without mercy to pay the full penalty for sin? Even as we all can identify with him in the lowliness of His birth, so in His death no one can say that He did not suffer sufficiently to pay for my sin. In true forgiveness, someone must suffer a loss for wrongdoing, and God’s righteous wrath against sin could be satisfied only by the full payment of our Savior’s sinless suffering and death. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1).

The church holds what is called a “closed Communion,” which means that only members of the church participate. This practice should not be a negative reflection on other children of God; rather, it emphasizes the importance we place on carefully observing this scriptural sacrament as God gave it to His church. The Bible teaching is clear: “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup” (1 Cor. 11:28). Our unity of faith and doctrine in the church as well as the sacredness of the Communion service is preserved by this practice. “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Eph. 4:4–6).

We usually observe Communion after a season of revival. Hearts have been cleansed, offenses forgiven, fellowship and confidence renewed, and fresh commitments made. As Communion is observed, it is often commented that this marks a new beginning. How can we go forward, growing in God’s grace and not go back to the things we have been delivered from? Do we crucify “the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame” (Heb. 6:6) if we deal with the same disobedience again and again? Perhaps we do not regard sin as sinful as it is and consider too lightly the cost that Jesus paid for our forgiveness. “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins” (Heb. 10:26).

Some being tormented with feelings of doubt or guilt may fear that they are unworthy to partake of Communion. They must remember that the Holy Spirit does not torment or bring us into darkness. Salvation is by grace through faith, and the basis of Communion is also by faith and not feelings. Hearts that are quieted by faith can be filled with the warm blessing of the Communion.

When we love Him as we should, our dedication will be evident. In fervent prayer and meditation and reading His Word, we live in daily communion with our Lord and Savior and find inspiration to be faithful. We also find fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. If we live in the spirit of communion with God and our brethren, the glow of Communion can light our way throughout the year as we live victoriously in Him.

Questions

1. Some Christians are fearful that they are not worthy of partaking of Communion and thereby miss a blessing God would like to give them. How can they be helped?
2. What is the significance of the common cup in the Communion service?
3. Would it be proper to have a Communion service mid-year without having a series of revival meetings?
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).