One Bread, One Body, One Hope

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:17; 11:26–29; Revelation 19:6–9

Devotion:
The Lord’s Supper directs the believer’s attention in four directions.
First, we look back. Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” We remember his finished work—his body given for us, his blood shed for us, and his once-for-all sacrifice that secured our redemption.

Second, we look inward. Paul tells each person to examine himself. This is not a demand to determine whether we are worthy of grace. No sinner is worthy. We examine whether we are coming with faith, repentance, and honest dependence upon Christ.

Third, we look around. Paul writes, “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body.” The Lord’s Supper is a communion meal. We cannot celebrate our reconciliation with Christ while proudly refusing reconciliation with his people.

The Corinthian church had allowed division, selfishness, and the mistreatment of other believers to corrupt the Supper. Some treated the meal as though their individual experience was all that mattered. Paul reminds them that the Table belongs to the whole body.

The ordinances are personal, but neither is private. In baptism, one believer publicly confesses Christ before the church. At the Lord’s Table, many believers confess together that they share one Savior, one gospel, one body, and one hope.

Finally, we look forward. Whenever we eat the bread and drink the cup, we “proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” Every observance anticipates Christ’s return and the marriage supper of the Lamb. The Table is both a memorial and an appetizer. It remembers the cross and anticipates the feast to come.

This forward-looking hope helps us endure. We gather at a small table now because a greater feast is coming. We eat a small piece of bread because one day we will sit in the kingdom with Christ. We proclaim his death because the crucified Savior has risen, reigns, and will return.

Baptism is received once, while the Lord’s Supper is received repeatedly. Baptism declares, “I belong to Christ.” At the Table we confess, “I still depend completely upon Christ.” Together, the ordinances form one people around one gospel as we wait for one returning King.

Reflection Question: Is there any division, unforgiveness, or self-centeredness that you need to bring to Christ as you prepare to gather with his people at his Table?

Prayer:
Father, thank you for making us one body through your Son. Teach me to look back at Christ’s finished work, inward with honest repentance, around with love for your people, and forward with hope in Christ’s return. Reconcile what is broken and prepare us for the feast that is coming. Amen.