The Lord's Supper

The LORD’S SUPPER is the outward manifestation of the mercy and grace of a loving FATHER. whose only desire is that all of His creation come to Him through the sacrifice of His Son, JESUS CHRIST. Everyone who accepts this free gift in atonement for their sins will live  through the power of the HOLY SPIRIT….spending the rest of eternity with GOD, who gave the perfect life of his only begotten SON in exchange for their sin filled one.

Communion is not to be taken lightly but with extreme reverence for the magnitude of the pain and suffering Jesus endured out of His love for the Father and for us.

Jesus’ body was the final sacrifice that would atone for sins, just as the Passover lamb signified the atonement for the people’s sins every year. This is My blood of the new covenant refers to the covenant that had been promised in the OT. The Lord Jesus specifically said that His blood is shed for many for the remission of sins. By receiving the Lord’s Supper, Jesus’ followers accept Jesus as the Messiah who suffers and dies on their behalf.

The Passover meal includes four (sometimes five) cups of wine; this is likely the third, the cup of blessing.

Some view the broken bread as representing Jesus’ body, which would soon be broken for their sins. Others interpret this statement more literally. Some interpret this is My blood metaphorically, meaning that the contents of this cup represented Jesus’ blood that would be shed for our sins. Others give the statement a more literal interpretation.

NKJ Study Bible

Jesus states that His imminent death enacts the new covenant centered on forgiveness This anticipates God’s kingdom when Christ will reign on the throne of David. Today He is seated with the Father on His throne and intercedes for us.

Faithlife Study Bible

Matthew 26:26–29 (NKJV)

²⁶ And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”

²⁷ Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. ²⁸ For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. ²⁹ But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

Mark 14:22–25 (NKJV)

²² And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”

²³ Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. ²⁴ And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. ²⁵ Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Luke 22:19–20 (NKJV)

¹⁹ 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.”

²⁰ Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.

Luke 11:33-36

The light of JESUS CHRIST illuminates all the darkness in man and exposes it for what it is…sin. By the power of the HOLY SPIRIT the darkness is eliminated precept by precept. 

The change in you is for all those around you to see. By your good works you become the hands and feet of Christ to others.

A person can become like light, a living picture of what God’s Word teaches, by concentrating on the light of the truth. 

The NKJV Study Bible.

In Matthew 5:14–16 Jesus uses this analogy to encourage His disciples to show their belief through their actions. 

Faithlife Study Bible.

Luke 11:33–36 (NKJV)

³³ “No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light. ³⁴ The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. ³⁵ Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. ³⁶ If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.”

Matthew 5:14–16 (NKJV)

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Jonah 2:7-9

Sometimes life stacks events one upon another with no breathing room. It has been this way for Timmy and I for the last few months. An ongoing issue with me that includes scheduled trips to the surgery center every five years, my elder father with Alzheimer's had eye surgery, recent trips to hubby’s DRs for routine testing and now an episode ending in a trip to the ER with his cardio assuming it was a TIA…even the new puppy needs testing at a  vet cardio for a heart murmur. WTHeck! There will be necessary testing for Tim that he is not comfortable with.

All things are in the hands of God. 

He promises that he will never leave us nor forsake us when we place things out of our control into His. He is so very able to keep us in perfect peace when we hand it to Him.

Jonah declares that he will keep his promise, a pledge both to sacrifice and to acknowledge God’s help. It is the Lord who delivers His people. God acts on behalf of His creation and the redeemed community to insure a relationship with them. The NKJV Study Bible. (2007). (Jon 2:7–9). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

Mercy—Jehovah, the very idea of whom is identified now in Jonah’s mind with mercy and loving-kindness. As the Psalmist styles Him, “my goodness”; God who is to me all beneficence“the God of my mercy,” literally, “my kindness-God.” Jonah had “forsaken His own mercy,” God, to flee to heathen lands where “lying vanities” (idols) were worshipped. But now, taught by his own preservation in conscious life in the fish’s belly, and by the inability of the mariners idols to lull the storm, estrangement from God seems estrangement from his own happiness. Prayer has been restrained in Jonah’s case, so that he was “fast asleep” in the midst of danger, heretofore; but now prayer is the sure sign of his return to God. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Jonah 2:7–9 (NKJV)

⁷ “When my soul fainted within me,

I remembered the Lord;

And my prayer went up to You,

Into Your holy temple.

⁸ “Those who regard worthless idols

Forsake their own Mercy.

⁹ But I will sacrifice to You

With the voice of thanksgiving;

I will pay what I have vowed.

Salvation is of the Lord.”

Psalm 18:6 (NKJV)

⁶ In my distress I called upon the Lord,

And cried out to my God;

He heard my voice from His temple,

And my cry came before Him, even to His ears.

Job 22:27 (NKJV)

²⁷ You will make your prayer to Him,

He will hear you,

And you will pay your vows.

Ezekiel 34:10

God takes care of those who place their total trust in Him alone! He takes care if the marginalized of society and no one can snatch them from His loving arms.

The crimes of Israel’s leaders come under review before their punishment is pronounced.The NKJV Study Bible.

Ezekiel 34:10 (NKJV)

¹⁰ Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them.”

Psalm 72:12–14 (NKJV)

¹² For He will deliver the needy when he cries,

The poor also, and him who has no helper.

¹³ He will spare the poor and needy,

And will save the souls of the needy.

¹⁴ He will redeem their life from oppression and violence;

And precious shall be their blood in His sight.

Acts 19:1-7

There are two baptisms, one of salvation found only in JESUS CHRIST and one of the power and unity of the HOLY SPIRIT. Both are equal in importance. Salvation is for eternity but the power of the HOLY SPIRIT enables us to live the life of a CHRIST follower here on earth and to get us safely home.

Acts 19:1–7 (NKJV)

19 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples ² he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”

³ And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?”

So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”

⁴ Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”

⁵ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶ And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. ⁷ Now the men were about twelve in all.

These 12 men had been baptized into the baptism of John the Baptist, but they had never heard about the Holy Spirit. All they knew was that One mightier than John was to come. They did not know that Jesus the Messiah, the One mightier than John had already come. He had died for their sins, had been raised from the dead, had ascended to the Father, and had already sent the Holy Spirit. They needed to hear the rest of the gospel. As soon as this happened, these men could place their faith in Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit.

 The NKJV Study Bible. (2007). (Ac 19:2–6). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

This is likely a reference to an act related to worship (see note on 10:46), not miraculously speaking in another person’s native language (compare 2:4–6). In Acts, speaking in tongues is related to the Holy Spirit indwelling and empowering believers (2:4–6; 10:45–46).

 Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ac 19:6). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Matthew 3:11 (NKJV)

¹¹ I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Matthew 28:19 (NKJV)

¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Luke 12:22-34

This pretty much sums it up! SEEK THE KINGDOM OF GOD and all things will be taken care of. Worry accomplishes nothing but our actions do.  

What does our Father expect from us? Micah 6:8

Be fair by seeking justice for all people

forgive quickly and easily so that hatred or discord has no hold on you

Remain humble because it has nothing to do with us and everything to do with giving God the glory He deserves for all that He has given you!

Luke appropriately connects Jesus’ parable about greed with His teaching on anxiety over material provisions. The parable, it seems, is directed toward the rich, whereas this section addresses the impoverished. The point is that material possessions can overcome the faith of both those who have much and those who have little—both types of people need to seek God and trust him with the outcome. Lexham Press.

What is clear is that worry is utterly useless and shows a lack of faith in God’s plan for our lives. We can trust God to provide for us because God knows precisely what we need.What people consider valuable is where their energy will be spent. Knowing God and investing in His purposes should be the treasure we seek. The NKJ Study Bible

Luke 12:22–34 (NKJV)

²² Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. ²³ Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. ²⁴ Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? ²⁵ And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? ²⁶ If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? ²⁷ Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ²⁸ If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?

²⁹ “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. ³⁰ For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. ³¹ But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

³² “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. ³³ Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. ³⁴ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

LUKE 17:20-21

Christ within is our only hope. Wherever His disciples go… He goes also.

Unless we are born again and baptized in the HOLY  SPIRIT we will not see salvation. Unless we accept our inability to save ourself we will be lost. 

It is in giving our life away and to God that we live.

The power of God is shown now in the distribution and work of the Holy Spirit. One day, however, Jesus will rule over all, and He will share that rule with His people.

The kingdom of God is among earthly kingdoms today; but one day the kingdom of God will swallow up all rival kingdoms (see Rev. 11:15). Jesus makes it clear that the kingdom has two phases—one now and one to come. In the beginning of His kingdom on earth, God first prepares a King to rule; then He gathers a people for Him to rule over; then He gives the Ruler a realm in which to reign. The kingdom of God is not the same as the church, though the church is a part of the kingdom. The kingdom now is the presence of God alongside earthly kingdoms.NKJ Study Bible

Luke 17:20–21 (NKJV)

²⁰ Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; ²¹ nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”

¹⁷ For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Romans 14:17

Jesus came to this earth to save man.

JESUS is the only SAVIOR and He came to give life to all men. We study HIS WORD to learn the ways of GOD through the direction of the HOLY SPIRIT that He gives us. He will never leave us nor turn us away when we seek the truth of HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON. 

The Father doesn’t want anyone to perish but all of His creation to have eternal life with Him through the salvation of the Cross.

Savior of all men describes God as the One who gives life, breath, and existence to all. Especially of those who believe draws a contrast between God’s common grace to all and His special saving grace to those who trust Him as their Savior. NKJ Study Bible

1 Timothy 4:10–13 (NKJV)

¹⁰ For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. ¹¹ These things command and teach.¹² Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. ¹³ Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

⁷ in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, ⁸ sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

Titus 2:7-8

The reason why “we both (‘both’ is omitted in the oldest manuscripts) labor (endure hardship) and suffer reproach (some oldest manuscripts read ‘strive’) is because we have rested, and do rest our hope, on the living God.” Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997).

Luke 11:28

We need to be doers not just hearers of GOD’S word. In an age of hatred and violence the BODY OF CHRIST should be a banner of His love and an open invitation to all who will enter in.

We are the hands and feet of Christ Jesus led by the Holy Spirit we will accomplish God’s will for His Church.

It is easy to allow traditional practices to take the place of the authority of the Scriptures. Jesus offers His blessing to those who respond concretely to God’s will as expressed in the Bible. NKJ Study Bible

Luke 11:28 (NKJV)

²⁸ But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

² Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

Psalm 119:2

²⁶ And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

Matthew 7:26

²⁵ But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

James 1:25

Hebrews 4:9-10

Blessed assurance. 

Blessed rest in the arms of our Savior. 

There is a time in our walk with GOD when swaddled in His agape love  we realize we are safe and protected from the evil of this world. Until HE comes again in glory we reside, we abide, in this state of faith.

The Greek word used here, sabbatismos, stresses the celebratory nature of rest.God rested after He created the world, implying that His creative work is complete and He now rules over it.

Hebrews 4:9–10 (NKJV)

⁹ There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. ¹⁰ For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

Acts 2: 9-11

Sometimes it takes being struck by lightning for the almighty God to get our attention. He will do whatever it takes to bring us into the fullness of the salvation that He alone offers to mankind. We are to use everything that He has given us…money, talent, our voice, to bring others to the same truth… that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Some things are for meant for us alone.

The men who had accompanied Paul heard the sound but could not understand the words that were being spoken to Paul. We are not told why they could not understand the sound they heard.

Acts 22: 9–11 (NKJV)

⁹ “And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me. ¹⁰ So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’ ¹¹ And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.

⁷ And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

Acts 9:7

 ⁷ And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves

Daniel  10:7

Isaiah 52:13-15

Christ is risen. One day we will see Him returning in His glory. Every heart will melt and every eye shall see the majesty of the King. He will rule over heaven and earth and of His Kingdom there will be no end!

People would be horrified at the Servant’s appearance; He would be so disfigured that He would no longer look human. Exalted and extolled and be very high may refer to three successive events, describing the Servant’s resurrection, ascension, and glorification (Rom. 4:24, 25). Or the three phrases might simply emphasize the great exaltation of the Lord’s servant (Phil. 2:9–11).

The nations are represented by their rulers.

Isaiah 52:13-15

¹³ Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. ¹⁴ As many were astonished at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: ¹⁵ So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. The NKJ STUDY BIBLE.

³⁶ But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Mt 24:36

 ³² But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. ³³ Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

Mk 13:31–33

Esther 10:1-3

Mordecai in the Old Testament has been likened to the  HOLY SPIRIT  who guides and protects the believers of JESUS CHRIST actively until He delivers them safely, raised from the dead, into the Kingdom of GOD.

The Book of Esther concludes with high praise of Mordecai, whose deeds were recorded in the official chronicles of the Persian Empire. Mordecai held the second highest rank in the land, a note that recalls Joseph’s ascendancy in Egypt.

Esther 10:1-3

¹ And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea. ² And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? ³ For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed. 

Mark 6:1-3

Many times we are too close to our relatives and friends with our shared pasts and we are unable to reach them. They may think that because of our love  we go easy on them preaching the overwhelming grace given in Jesus Christ or just the opposite and they believe we to closely adhere to the letter of the Law and its condemnation. 

Pray for others who can share the salvation of Jesus the Christ to enter the lives of our loved ones and see the power of the Gospel change hearts and minds. In the mean time be an example of His deep love and capability to change any man who believes in Him.

Mark mentions Jesus’ four brothers by name as well as His sisters. One brother, James, did not trust Christ prior to His crucifixion, but seems to have come to faith after Jesus’ resurrection. He later became the leader of the church in Jerusalem and wrote the Epistle of James. Judas later authored the Book of Jude. NKJ Study Bible

Mark 6:1–3 (NKJV)

6 Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. ² And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! ³ Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.

⁶ And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” 

Matthew 11:6