Today’s text challenges us all to understand and embrace the correct meaning of the Lord’s Supper. For it has been greatly misunderstood by many. It, like the Passover meal which it replaced, was intended by God to always keep in memory in the minds of Christians the most important work of Christ in saving mankind. We are to “remember” the cross and the work of God performed there. We are to remember Christ and how He was sacrificed as the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world. We are to remember that the only way to forgiveness of sin and ultimately heaven is through Christ alone. We can’t work our way to heaven. We can’t earn our way to heaven. Only Christ can and did. And He did it all for us on the cross.

The Apostle Paul wrote: … “The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.” And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” (Romans 10:8–10, NLT)

TODAY’S TEXT …

When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:14–20, NKJV)

Again, the Apostle Paul clarified the simplicity of how salvation is obtained …

For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it:” (Romans 4:3–6, NLT)

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NIV)

Pastor Mike