... this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for the many for the forgiveness of sins. Matt 26:28


... do this in remembrance of me. Luke 22:19


Dear Cornerstone,

This coming Sunday, as children of God in Christ, we will have the unique privilege of gathering around the Lord's table together to celebrate the love and glory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, through the remembrance of Him and through the proclamation of His death as we partake of the Lord's Supper.

As we do so, we celebrate the New Covenant ratified by His blood, our forgiveness of sins in Christ, our union with Him by way of the cross and our union with one another in Christ.

We also proclaim, as John Calvin once noted, that "Christ is the only food of our soul."

In light of the magnitude of the event, one of only two ordinances that our Savior and Lord has commanded us to carry out as New Covenant people, and the very real presence of His Spirit as we gather around His table - the Apostle Paul calls us to prepare our hearts in advance.

"Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself." 1 Cor 11:27-28.


In light of the grace and mercy that has been extended to each one of us in Christ, in light of the unity we have in Him, and in light of the joy that awaits us as we celebrate this love feast rightly together in Him - let each one of us prepare our hearts in advance. Let us go before the Lord and confess our sins with a repentant heart, asking for His amazing forgiveness. If there are grievances or offenses between us - let us be quick to ask for forgiveness and to give forgiveness, one to another in Christ with the grace and mercy that comes from above. And then, with hearts set free by the Spirit of God, let us celebrate the amazing grace, mercy, and peace of the cross of Christ in all His glory and the unity in Him He has purchase for us by His blood.

In Him

Mark

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? 1 Cor 10:16

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 1 Cor 11:26