Communion: Past, Present, and Future

When we partake of the Lord’s supper, we peer through time.

Past
“The Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you’” (1Cor 11:23-24 NKJV).

When we eat the bread, we revisit the night he was betrayed with a kiss. Remember the cost of your salvation. Look upon the body which was broken for you. “His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness” (Is 52:14). Gaze upon the Son forsaken by his Father because of your sin. And then renew your commitment, “in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Rom 12:1).

Present
“In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood...’” (1Cor 11:25).

We live every day in that new covenant. The blood that was shed that day continues to be poured over your sins. Today you have peace with God. Today you are a child of God. Today God has cast your sins as far away as the east is from the west. God continues to give you grace for today because of that blood that was poured out. Remind yourself that, in Christ Jesus, you are clean. “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Heb 4:16).

Future
“I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matt 26:29).

The new covenant came with a promise that one day we will see Jesus face to face. He is coming back for his bride. “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3 NASB). He has gone to prepare a place for you. You will be conformed to the image of Christ. Every tear will be wiped from your eyes. “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1Cor 15:58).

And so we wait. He has promised, and we know his word is good. Until that day, we look back, and we look forward. We partake of the bread and the cup in remembrance of him. “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1Cor 11:26).

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!


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