The Lord's Supper

The Lord's Supper was born amidst Passover meal (the night of the 10th. plague on Egypt - were 9 previous plagues)

Ex. 11:1, 4-8  12:1-14, 21-32
Setting:  400 years earlier - Israel down to Egypt - new Pharoah - oppression, bondage, etc. for years and years.  God brought Moses to deliver.

Ritual changes with time - examples:  reclining instead of standing with sandals on feet, ready to move.  No lamb sacrificed as temple was gone.  Celebrated as freedmen, not slaves.

But, in the Passover celebration, the Jews continued to:
1)  look back - Exodus, deliverance from Egypt
2) look forward - final deliverance, Messiah

Fast Forward 1500 years - Jesus celebrating Passover with disciples
Matt. 26:17-21, 26-30
In midst of Passover meal - Jesus
   A)  changes the order/ritual/liturgy
   B)  institutes a new celebration/commemoration - Vs. 26-28 - something different and new

So, as Israel celebrated deliverance from bondage to Egypt, SO Christians celebrate deliverance from bondage to Sin.

Many parallels to Jesus and Passover Lamb - (without spot/blood applied/deliverance from judgment)

So - Paul ---> 1 Cor. 5:7

But, the Works of Christ go far beyond what the Passover lamb did for the Jews at that time.
He not only died for us, delivered us -- also,
Bore our sin(s) - Passover lamb did not
Paid for our sin(s) - Passover lamb did not
Removed our sin -  Passover lamb did not

Examples:      John 1:29 - (example - scapegoat of Lev. 16) - removes the sin
                     1 Pet. 1:18-19 - redeemed - (example:  Hosea and Gomer)
                     Heb. 10:3-7 - substitutionary sacrifice - (example:  sin offering)
                     1 Pet. 2:24
                     2 Cor. 5:21 ---> 1 Pet. 3:18-19

all of this (and more)  to be remembered in the Lord's Supper - John 19:30

But, this is more than His general work for the Corporate Body,
This = His personal concern for the individual  - 1 Tim. 1:15 - that we might personally receive from Him

So - tonight we gather, partake personally, individually, But we celebrate corporately.

1 Cor. 11:23-26

Theologians debated the nature of the elements for centuries (from transubstantiation to symbolism)

BUT, all agree on:
      1) the importance
      2) this Presence is special
      3) our Participation - not just remembering the season

So, as we take Lord's Supper - 1) remember His work (for you)
                                                 2) display your faith (visual testimony)
                                                 3)  Renew your commitment (vows)
                                                 4)  fellowship with one another