Title: Union with the Lord....
2009·11·20
The Lord's Supper was instituted by the Lord Himself, and we participate by faith in the Lord's body and blood through the bread and cup we share during this time. The Lord said that this bread was His body torn for us, and this wine was His blood shed for us. This sacrament is the most clear and practical explanation of our faith in Jesus and our salvation.
As a result of our belief in Jesus Christ and our union with Him, we become dead with Him (verse 3). The just law of God is that those who sin must die. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). There is no way to solve that sin without death. But because we believe in Jesus Christ and are united to Him, we become sinners and die together with Him on the cross. My sinful nature, this body of sin, which I will continue to commit crimes in the future, was punished and died. We who believed in Jesus died on the cross with Him.
In this way, we became new people. Sinners who became enemies of God because of their sins and had no choice but to suffer God's terrible curse and wrath died on the cross. And he was born again as a child of God who received God's great love. Now we have become a new person, the beloved child of God. This is the salvation that Jesus accomplished on the cross, and it is the salvation freely given to those who believe. We receive this salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, and thus by being united with Jesus.
Our participation in sacrament meeting at this time shows this truth very clearly and vividly. When the Lord instituted this ceremony, he said: “As they were eating, Jesus took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” He took the cup, gave thanks and gave it to them, saying, “Drink it, all of you, for the forgiveness of sins. It is my blood of the covenant, which is shed for men” (Matthew 26:26-28).
We are now to eat this bread and drink this cup according to the command of the Lord. This bread means the body of the Lord, and this cup means the blood of the Lord. When we eat this bread and drink this cup, these will enter our body and be digested and become a part of our body. This powerfully shows that we are united with the Lord and become one. Therefore, as we eat the bread and drink the cup at this time, we confirm and realize that we are united with the Lord. The Lord wanted us to deeply understand and remember this fact through this ceremony.
Furthermore, the Lord is actually present in us and pours out His infinite grace upon us as we partake of His body and blood through this rite. Therefore, the saints who participate in this ceremony with full faith can meet the Lord who is present in each of us at this time. I hope it will be a time to meet the Lord passionately with complete faith and longing. And today, I hope that you will deeply remember the fact that I was saved by being united with the Lord who suffered, died and rose for me on the cross, and I hope you become a saint who gives thanks fervently.