The Lord’s Supper is a sacrament of the New Testament instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). In relation to proper preparation for the sacrament the Directory for the Public Worship of God, agreed by the Westminster Assembly of Divines in 1644, was to urge that “something be taught concerning that ordinance, and the due preparation for it, and participation in it; so that by the diligent use of all means sanctified by God to that end, both in public and private, all may come better prepared to that heavenly feast.” It is therefore an ordinance to be approached with the utmost care and reverence. As we consider proper preparation, consider first of all:

1. HOW SHOULD WE APPROACH THE SUPPER?

As we approach the Supper there are several things we will bear in mind:

(1) We must understand the meaning of the ordinance. It is a service which points us to the work of Christ in accomplishing salvation. The whole symbolism of the bread and wine, as indicated by the Lord in the words of institution, clearly point to His death as a sacrifice for sin. Christ’s death is at the heart of our acceptance with God (1 Cor. 11:23-26). By visible signs we are encouraged to recognise what was necessary for the salvation of unworthy sinners. What are we to remember by this service? His death. Why remember His death? Because that is the way of acceptance for sinners.

(2) We must exercise faith in Christ in the ordinance. It goes without saying that for any coming to partake in the Supper there must be faith in, and love and obedience to, the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor 11:28; 2 Cor. 13:5). There cannot be benefit in the supper without faith in Christ. But after all it is by His command that those who trust in Him come to the table (1 Cor. 11:24), and so those who trust in the Lord but neglect the Supper are flying in the face of His command.

(3) We must humble ourselves before the Lord in approaching this ordinance. If we are to benefit from the Supper we must come with lowliness, repentance and a humble heart (Proverbs 3:34; 1 Peter 5:6). Let there be much prayer (1 Thess. 5:17). This of course is at the heart of all blessing in the things of the Lord. Pray, then, that the Lord would visit us during these services and at the Table. Pray for your own heart, pray for the preachers, pray for the Spirit to come down in power. These seasons have been seasons of such blessing in the past. 

Secondly, let us consider:

2. WHAT OPPORTUNITIES DOES THE SUPPER PRESENT?

(1) It presents an opportunity of remembering the centrality of the work of Christ in our faith. In instituting the Supper Jesus said: “This do in remembrance of me.” This, therefore, provides us with opportunity to remember what Christ did to save His people from their sins.

(2) It also provides opportunity for the child of God to profess faith in Christ openly and publicly. We are reminded of what the Lord said, that “whoever confesses me before men, him will I confess before my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32).

(3) It is, besides, a powerful means of strengthening the graces of faith and repentance and love. It is, you see, properly used, a means of grace, a means of improvement in the grace of God.

How does it improve faith in Christ? By strengthening faith by giving us such a clear representation of the atonement “which makes Christ so worthy of our most unreserved confidence.”

How does it improve repentance? By showing us in the strongest manner possible the exceeding sinfulness of sin, which could not be pardoned but for the death and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s own Son. Will this not cause us to hate sin and seek to forsake it in all our present and future conduct?

How does it advance love for the Lord in us? When the believer considers Him dying there to avert the divine displeasure and restore us to the favour and friendship of God, will this not stir up love in your heart for the Saviour? Surely it must. In addition, it surely stirs our love for our fellow men, in that when we consider “the love wherewith God hath loved us” in the sacrifice of His Son, so our reaction should be, “if God so loved us, we ought to love one another” (Eph. 2:4; 1 John 4:11).

(4) It is a means (this ordinance) of declaring our fellowship with Christ Himself. “The cup of blessing which we bless,” says Paul, “is it not communion with the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion with the body of Christ” (1 Cor. 10:16).  This is the sort of thing the Lord spoke of when He encouraged his hearers in His discourse in John 6 to “eat His flesh and drink His blood” (6:53-56). Or, as He says to the Laodicean Church: “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me” (Rev. 3:20). This surely has direct relevance both to the Lord’s Supper in the Church and the aspect not least of the soul’s fellowship with Christ in the Supper.

(5) It provides opportunity for Christian harmony and friendship, the expression of the uniting bonds of the gospel as the believers together sit around the table. This is the essence of ‘communion’ as it ought to be between the members of the fellowship. It provides an opportunity of course to put right any disharmony that may be felt between any in the fellowship. This, of course, takes grace. But after all, that is what is needed within a Church fellowship.

(6) Lastly, the Supper offers opportunity to witness to the world; and is a challenge to those who do not partake, to consider their relationship to the Lord, to repent, and to put their trust in Him and His worthiness.

Thirdly, there is this question:

3. HOW WILL YOU PARTAKE OF THE SUPPER?

(1) First of all, appreciate this: that you are not merely to think of yourself as in the presence of your fellow-members, but in the presence of the Almighty Himself. He sees you as no mere man sees you. He sees into the deep recesses of your heart. You should therefore ‘keep the feast’ with this very much upon your heart

(2) You will seek to banish the cares of the world, to put away every sinful and unworthy thought, and devote your whole attention to what is said and done in the ordinance.

(3) You are to rejoice in the worthiness of Christ (Rev. 4:11), in His character and sufferings and death to save sinners. The focus will be on His worthiness rather than your own un-worthiness, although the thought of your own unworthiness will tend to increase affection and gratitude to the Lord for what He has done.

(4) Further, as you partake of the elements you will ponder how He loved you and gave Himself for you (Gal. 2:20), and you will resolve to surrender your life to the Lord in willing service and devotion.

There are many other things which can be said about this ordinance of course.  We have touched on but a few. Happily, we still maintain Communion seasons which provide good opportunity to prepare ourselves well for the ordinance, which is of such practical importance to the living Church as it reflects upon the Redeemer and His work. We ought earnestly to seek the blessing of the Lord, that our souls may be strengthened and encouraged in the things of the Lord. May we uphold each other, and may the Lord be pleased to come among us and send us refreshing showers of Holy Spirit blessing in our Communion seasons.