The Supper of Love
By Art Dmytriyev
Yancey County
Have you ever been invited to a supper where someone important is going to attend? How about if the invitee is the person whom you love? What if someone you love invited you to supper before the time set you apart, and perhaps you will never see each other again? All these thoughts can make us think about the importance of every significant event in our lives, and it doesn’t have to be supper.
The Bible tells us about the Last Supper, or the Lord’s Supper, where the King of the Universe Himself was attending. He invited the guests and provided everything for that Supper. He is the most important Person, and He loves you! Think about the fact that God loved this world so much that He sent His only Son to humble Himself and to serve a fallen humanity so that we may obtain through His service the Everlasting Life! (John 3:16; Matthew 20:28).
The Lord’s Supper is a simple celebration of Jesus’ sacrifice and promise, but its significance is profound. It is a unifying act of worship, joy, and remembrance of our Savior’s unmatchable love. Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper to commemorate our deliverance from the burden of sin. It’s a privilege to be part of this proclamation. Jesus, our Savior, has allowed salvation to every person. Through His perfect life, His sacrificial death, and His resurrection, we are invited to come to His table, experience His love, and be saved for eternity. Jesus demonstrated His love for His disciples and humanity by performing a servant’s job. He washed His disciples’ feet. By doing this, He showed an example of kindness and unconditional love. He said: “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
There are two most important elements for us to remember at the Lord’s Supper: bread and wine. Jesus said: “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (John 6:51 KJV). Accepting Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life, will fill our hearts with meaning and love. Accepting Jesus will assure us of eternal life in heaven with Him. Jesus also said: “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:28–29 KJV). Unleavened bread and unfermented wine are the symbols of the purity and holiness of Christ, without sin or corruption. He is the precious Lamb of God.
The Lord’s Supper is the perfect time to be thinking about how we can grow in Christ and best honor Him with our lives. If we’re living in faith in what Jesus did and continues to do for us, He counts us as worthy. He wants us to joyfully celebrate the Supper of Love.
The Bible’s message is clear: “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.” (1 Corinthians 11:28 KJV).
The Lord’s Supper is a participation in the emblems of the body and blood of Jesus as an expression of faith in Him, our Lord and Saviour. In this experience of the Supper of Love, Christ is present to meet and strengthen His people. As we partake, we joyfully proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes again. Preparation for the Supper includes self-examination, repentance, and confession. The Master ordained the service of foot-washing to signify renewed cleansing, to express a willingness to serve one another in Christlike humility, and to unite our hearts in love.
Dear Reader, let us continue to participate in the Supper of Love with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
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Pastor Art Dmytriyev is originally from Siberia. He has traveled the world in Evangelism and pastoral ministry. He serves as a pastor in North Carolina, holds a Master of Divinity degree, and is currently a Doctor of Ministry candidate. More information at: https://burnsvillenc.adventistchurch.org/pastors-blog
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