Dear Willowdale Family,
Upon contemplating the upcoming communion service for Sabbath, I have been prayerfully reflecting on the multitude of blessings bestowed upon us by the Lord throughout the years. The Lord’s Supper is a simple celebration of Jesus’ sacrifice and promise, but its significance is profound. It is a unifying act of worship, joy, and remembrance of our Savior’s unmatchable love. In the 28 Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church,” #16 delves into the communion service. It underscores the sacred nature of the Lord’s Supper as a meaningful participation in the symbols of Jesus’s body and blood, signifying our unwavering faith in Him as our Lord and Savior. The communion experience is when Christ’s presence brings comfort and strength to His followers. As we partake, we joyfully proclaim the Lord’s death until His return. The proper preparation for the Lord’s Supper involves self-examination, repentance, and confession. It is important to note that the communion service is open to all Christians who believe (1 Cor. 10:16, 17; 11:23-30; Matt. 26:17-30; Rev. 3:20; John 6:48-63; 13:1-17).
How Should We Prepare for the Lord’s Supper
To honor and remember Jesus’ sacrifice in a meaningful way, we heed the guidance of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11 by preparing our hearts through self-examination (vs. 27). It is cautioned that partaking in the bread and cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner makes one guilty of the body and blood of the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:27, ESV). Paul emphasizes the significance of this consecrated time for reflection, urging us to approach it with solemnity. He instructs, “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat the bread and drink of the cup.” The Communion service provides a perfect opportunity to reflect on how we can strengthen our relationship with Christ and live our lives in a way that honors Him. When we have faith in what Jesus has done and continues to do for us, He deems us worthy. He desires us to joyfully partake in the Lord’s Supper, considering it a privilege to be part of this proclamation. Through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and resurrection, we are all welcome to join Him at His table, experience His love, and secure salvation for eternity.
Symbolism of the emblems and ordinances of the Lord’s Supper
The three critical elements of our Communion service involve partaking of the unleavened bread, drinking grape juice (the fruit of the vine), and washing one another’s feet. These symbolic actions represent Christ’s sacrifice to save us and the humble, servant-like example He set. They are in accordance with Jesus’ instruction to His disciples, “Do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19, ESV). Jesus referred to Himself as the living bread that came down from heaven, saying, “If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world” (John 6:51). Embracing Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life, fills our hearts with purpose and love, granting us the promise of eternal life in heaven.
The ordinance of humility
The practice of foot-washing is rooted in Jesus’ teachings and actions, as recounted in John 13. In this passage, Jesus washes His disciples’ feet, imparting the lesson that serving one another is paramount. This act of humility, typically carried out by servants, exemplifies true greatness and selflessness. Foot washing symbolizes fellowship, unity, and the setting aside of differences in service to one another and God. Just as the Passover was a reminder of the Israelites’ deliverance from Egyptian slavery, the Lord’s Supper serves as a reminder of our deliverance from the slavery of sin. We have been redeemed, not with gold or silver, but with “the precious blood of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:18, 19). May the Lord bless us as we participate in the Communion service today.
Pastor Evadne Henry
Excerpts from https://www.adventist.org/the-lords-supper/ & 28 Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.