Key Truth: The Lord’s Supper visibly represents and physically confirms that the death of Jesus satisfied God’s judgement against our sin so that we may fellowship with Him forever.

Introduction:

Q. How can you be assured that you have peace with God by the blood of Jesus? How can your faith in God be nourished so that it may grow and you may become more like Christ?

The Passover and the Lamb

Mark 14:12-16

“Let it be a rule with us, in the reading of our Bibles, to study the types and ordinances of the Mosaic Law with prayerful attention. They are full of Christ. The altar—the scape-goat—the daily burnt-offering—the day of atonement, are all so many finger-posts pointing to the great sacrifice offered by our Lord on Calvary. Those who neglect to study the Jewish ordinances, as dark, dull, and uninteresting parts of the Bible, only show their own ignorance, and miss great advantages. Those who examine them with Christ as the key to their meaning, will find them full of Gospel light and comfortable truth.”

J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, Vol. I: Matthew-Mark

Q. What role does the Old Testament play in your understanding of redemption and the means of grace? Do you look to the means of grace to help you see the faithfulness of God to save and keep His people throughout history?

The Betrayal of the Lamb

Mark 14:17-21

“Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

1 Corinthians 5:7-8

Q. In what ways has God recently used the Table to increase your love for Him and your hatred of sin? What has been the result?

The Body and Blood of the Lamb

Mark 14:22-25

“[In the Lord’s Supper] we are invited to a table, and not an altar.”

Michael Horton, The Christian Faith

Q. Do you value the Lord’s Table as a gift from Him? Do you regularly prepare yourself to receive it with understanding so that it may strengthen your faith in Him?

Mark 14:12-25 teaches us that:

-The death of Jesus satisfied God’s judgment against sin for all who are united to Him by faith.

-Our union with Jesus by faith is signified and sealed by the Lord’s Supper.

-We must be diligent to understand what the Lord’s Supper means so that it may nourish our faith.