The Lord’s Supper: Served, Not Served

The Lord’s Supper: Served, Not Served…

The passage draws a powerful connection between the Lord’s Supper and the Jewish Passover Seder, emphasizing the act of being served rather than serving oneself. It highlights that just as the Seder is led by one who serves, so too at the Lord’s Table,

Christ is the one who ministers to us, offering the “bread of life” and the “new wine of joy.” This is a profound reorientation from our often self-serving tendencies, even as believers. The core message is to first receive God’s provision and love, and then to extend that love and service to others.

Let’s delve a little deeper into this profound theological concept. The Passover Seder is not merely a historical reenactment; it is a living narrative that invites participants into the story of liberation.

Similarly, the Lord’s Supper is more than a symbolic meal; it is a communion that draws us into the very essence of Christ’s sacrificial love and ongoing ministry. The act of being served at the Lord’s Table dismantles our ingrained human inclination towards self-sufficiency and control. It compels us to surrender, to acknowledge our dependence on divine grace, and to receive the spiritual nourishment that only Christ can provide.

This reception is not passive; it is an active posture of humility and trust.

The text states, “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).

This verse is the bedrock of the entire concept. Christ, in His ultimate act of humility and love, inverted the societal norms of power and privilege. He, the King of Kings, came not to be enthroned and adored in a self-serving manner, but to kneel and wash feet, to offer His very life as a ransom.

When we sit at His table, we are participating in this same radical inversion. We are not approaching a buffet to pick and choose what suits us; we are entering into a sacred space where the divine Host pours Himself out for us.

This transformative experience of being served by Christ is the wellspring from which true, selfless service flows. It’s not about earning our way or proving our worth; it’s about overflowing with the love and grace we have so lavishly received.

Only when our own spiritual cups are full from His unending supply can we genuinely pour into the lives of others without depletion or resentment. The Lord’s Supper, therefore, is not just a meal; it is a masterclass in divine economics: receive abundantly, so you can give freely.

Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts, acknowledging our constant tendency to serve ourselves. Thank You for the profound mystery of the Lord’s Supper, where You, the Creator of the universe, choose to serve us. Help us to truly grasp what it means to sit at Your table, to receive the bread of life and the new wine of joy, freely given by Your Son, Jesus. Soften our hearts to surrender our need for control and our impulse towards self-reliance. Fill us with Your love and grace, not so we can hoard it, but so that we may overflow and become vessels of Your selfless service to others. May our lives reflect the very heart of Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve. Amen.

We are not called to be a spiritual ATM, dispensing divine wisdom and grace to others from our own reserves. Rather, we are called to be conduits, drawing from the infinite well of Christ’s love, so that His Spirit might flow through us to a thirsty world. The Lord’s Supper is a potent reminder that we must first be filled to truly pour out.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always

Ed 🙏🏼