The Cup of Blessing
The Lord Jesus told us to remember Him by breaking bread at His Table. Who can come to the Table, How do we celebrate the Table? When can we, and where can we celebrate the Lord’s Table, and most importantly, why do we come to the Lord’s Table? The Scriptures show us that we must look backward and remember Jesus, look forward to eating and drinking in the Kingdom with Him, look inward and confess our sin and need for Him, and then look outward at those who are one with us in the celebration of the Table. This helps us to be grateful for Him and everything He has done, and respond in gratitude which is why it’s also called the Cup of Blessing or Thanksgiving.
Scripture
1 Corinthians 10:16-22 ESV The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? [17] Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. [18] Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? [19] What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? [20] No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. [21] You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. [22] Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
Bible Study Questions
Where and when did the early Church celebrate the Lord’s Table? (Acts 2:46-47)
Who is invited to celebrate the Lord’s Table? What is the one warning about the Lord’s Table and when not to share in it? (1 Corinthians 11:29)
Warren Wiersbe writes that we should look backward, forward, inward and outward to celebrate the Lord’s Table. Why or how do we look backward when celebrating the Lord’s Table? (Luke 22:19)
How do we look forward when breaking bread together? (Matthew 26:29)
How are we told to look inward as we take our place at the Lord’s Table? (1 Corinthians 11:28)
Looking outward involves looking out for the needs of others, especially other members of Christ’s Church. How does 1 Corinthians 10:17 direct us to look outward?
The Lord’s Table is also called the Cup of Blessing in 1 Corinthians 10:16. “Blessing” and “thanksgiving” are used interchangeably in the different accounts of the Lord’s Table. What does this imply about the different meanings of “Blessing” with regards to the Cup and Bread of the Lord’s Table? Luke 22:17, Luke 22:19, Matthew 26:26-27, 1 Corinthians 11:24
Prayer
Dear Father God in Heaven. we praise You for Your great love and unfailing faithfulness. Thank You for saving us, and raising our lives by the blood of Your Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Thank You that in all Your glory and infinite splendour You chose to search us out and save us from our sin. Thank You for inviting us to Your Table and washing away our sin and shame. We are so sorry for our sin Father, thank You for Your mercy. Please lead us in humble gratitude through the week to come and help us to love one another as You have loved us. In Jesus Name Amen.
Worship
Man of sorrows what a name
for the Son of God, who came
ruined sinners to reclaim:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
in my place condemned He stood,
sealed my pardon with His blood:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Guilty, helpless, lost were we;
blameless Lamb of God was He,
sacrificed to set us free:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
He was lifted up to die;
"It is finished" was His cry;
now in heaven exalted high:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
When He comes, our glorious King,
all His ransomed home to bring,
then anew this song we'll sing:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Serving
On the night that Jesus instituted the Lord’s Table, He also illustrated His great act of sacrificial love and His call to us to imitate Him, by washing His disciples feet. It’s hard to humble ourselves to wash another’s feet, and sometimes harder to allow someone else to do so. This week, ask God to show us ways of loving others selflessly, and also allowing them to do the same for us.