Uncover 11 powerful steps to fully claim the blessings of the Lord’s Supper that will elevate your faith and spiritual journey.
The Lord’s Supper, also known as Communion or the Eucharist, is one of the most significant practices in the Christian faith. It is a time of deep spiritual reflection and an act of remembrance, a celebration of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. However, many believers may not fully understand how to claim the blessings associated with this sacred act though they regularly partake in this sacrament. The Lord’s Supper is a sacred moment, filled with opportunities for God’s grace, healing, forgiveness, spiritual growth, and empowerment for Christian living. We will explore eleven valid paths to claim the blessings of the Lord’s Supper, each grounded in biblical truth.
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Let us first understand the meaning of the Lord’s Supper.
Lord’s (Last) Supper Means…
The Lord’s Supper, also known as Holy Communion, holds profound significance for Christians as a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice and the new covenant He established. Rooted in Jesus’ words during the Last Supper, this sacred act is recorded in Luke 22:19-20: “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’”
The bread symbolizes Jesus’ body, broken for our sins, while the wine represents His blood, shed for our redemption. It’s a time to reflect on Christ’s love and grace, examine our hearts (1 Corinthians 11:28), and renew our commitment to live in obedience to Him. Beyond remembrance, the Lord’s Supper unites believers as one body in Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16-17), affirming our shared faith and hope.
11 Practical Steps to Claim the Blessings of the Lord’s Supper
1. Approach with Reverence and Worship
The first and most important step in claiming the blessings of the Lord’s Supper is approaching it with reverence. The bread and the wine are not mere symbols; they represent the body and blood of Jesus Christ, offered for the salvation of humanity. The bread represents His body, which was broken for us, and the wine symbolizes His blood, shed for the forgiveness of our sins. We should participate in the Holy Communion with awe and gratitude, recognizing the weight of Christ’s passion and propitiation.
Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:19-20) when He broke bread and shared wine with His disciples as a symbol of His impending sacrifice on the cross.
Matthew 26:26-28 recounts Jesus instituting the Lord’s Supper:
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’”
When we partake in the Eucharist with worshipful hearts, we connect with the holiness of Christ’s sacrifice and open ourselves to His grace.
2. Examine Yourself and Seek Forgiveness
One of the most important ways to claim the blessings of the Lord’s Supper is to engage in self-examination. The Apostle Paul warns believers not to partake in an unworthy manner, which includes holding onto unconfessed sin or harboring bitterness toward others. The Lord’s Supper is a moment to examine our hearts and seek forgiveness before partaking.
The Lord’s Supper isn’t just a routine—it’s a time to reflect, repent, and ensure we approach it with the right attitude. So before we partake, let’s pause, search our hearts, and come before God with sincerity and gratitude.
1 Corinthians 11:27-29 says:
“So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.”
Self-examination leads to a posture of humility and repentance, allowing us to receive the blessings of forgiveness and renewal during the Eucharist.
To claim the blessings, we must first come before God with a contrite heart, recognizing our sins and seeking His forgiveness. The act of self-examination helps us to align ourselves with God’s will, ensuring that we are partaking in the Lord’s Supper with the proper attitude.
3. Receive the Gift of Forgiveness
One of the major blessings of the Lord’s Supper is the reminder that Christ’s death has brought us the gift of forgiveness. The sacrament calls attention to the fact that Jesus’ death paid the full price for our iniquities, and by participating in it, we are acknowledging our need for His grace.
1 John 1:9 reminds us of the promise of forgiveness:
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
During the Holy Communion, we can claim the blessing of forgiveness by confessing our sins, knowing that Christ’s sacrifice has made full atonement for us.
As we take the bread and the wine, we are reminded that Christ’s body was broken and His blood was shed to secure our forgiveness. By receiving the Eucharist in faith, we open our hearts to the cleansing power of His grace. This is not just a symbolic act; it is a tangible moment of experiencing God’s forgiveness.
4. Claim Physical and Emotional Healing
The Holy Communion is not only a time of spiritual restoration but also of the physical and emotional restoration that Christ’s sacrifice offers. The Bible teaches that Jesus’ suffering and wounds were not only for our sins but also for our physical and emotional well-being.
The Lord’s Supper is also a time to claim our healing.
Isaiah 53:5 declares:
“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds, we are healed.”
When we participate in the Eucharist, we are reminded that Christ’s body was broken for our healing. We can claim the blessing of healing by placing our faith in the finished work of Jesus and trusting Him to bring wholeness to our lives.
Whether it’s physical illness, emotional pain, or spiritual brokenness, the Lord’s Supper is a moment to claim healing through faith in Jesus’ finished work on the cross.
In 1 Corinthians 11:30, Paul mentions the significance of the Lord’s Supper:
“That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.”
This verse reminds us that taking part in the Holy Communion unworthily can result in disastrous consequences. Whether it’s out of ignorance, pride, or just a mistake, treating Christ’s sacrifice lightly—even in a symbolic way—is something God doesn’t take lightly. However, when approached with faith, the Lord’s Supper can be a channel through which God’s healing power flows into our lives.
5. Celebrate the New Covenant
The Lord’s Supper is a powerful celebration of the new covenant that Jesus established through His death. Under the old covenant, forgiveness and right standing with God were achieved through continual sacrifices. But Jesus, through His once-for-all sacrifice, has established a new covenant of grace. Jesus refers to His blood as the “blood of the new covenant” (Matthew 26:28), signifying that through His sacrifice, a new covenant was established between God and humanity. This covenant is based on grace, not law, and provides us with direct access to God.
Hebrews 9:15 says:
“For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”
The Lord’s Supper is a reaffirmation of this covenant. Every time we partake, we declare our commitment to live under the grace of this new covenant, trusting in Christ’s finished work for our salvation and sanctification.
When we partake of the bread and the wine, we are reminded of this new covenant and can claim the blessings of living in grace, rather than under the weight of the law.
6. Strengthen Your Union with Christ
One of the most profound blessings of the Holy Communion is the deepening of our union with Christ. Jesus’ words in the Gospel of John reveal the intimate connection that the Eucharist symbolizes between the believer and Christ.
John 6:56 says:
“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.”
We reaffirm our union with Christ by partaking in the Lord’s Supper. This sacrament reminds us that we are one with Him, and through His Spirit, we receive strength for our daily walk of faith. It is in this unity with Christ that we find spiritual sustenance and empowerment.
7. Participate in the Unity of the Body of Christ
The Lord’s Supper is not only a personal encounter with Christ but also a communal one. It reminds us of our shared identity as the body of Christ. When we participate in the Eucharist, we proclaim our unity with other believers, reminding us that we are one body, united by the sacrifice of Christ. It is also a moment to celebrate being a part of one spiritual family.
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 teaches us about this unity:
“Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.”
The Holy Communion strengthens the bonds of love and fellowship between believers. It is a powerful reminder that we are united in Christ, transcending differences and divisions. This unity is not based on earthly affiliations but on our shared faith in Christ. Claiming the blessing of unity requires us to approach the Eucharist with a heart free from division, bitterness, or unresolved conflict with others.
8. Proclaim the Lord’s Death and His Return
Every time we participate in the Lord’s Supper, we are not only remembering Christ’s death, but we are also proclaiming His death and looking forward to His return. This eschatological aspect of the Holy Communion is a vital blessing because it fills us with hope and anticipation for the fulfillment of God’s promises.
1 Corinthians 11:26 states:
“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”
By claiming this blessing, we align ourselves with the eternal perspective of God’s plan for the world. The Eucharist becomes a powerful proclamation of our faith in Christ’s return and the ultimate victory of His kingdom.
9. Experience Spiritual Nourishment
Another significant blessing of the Lord’s Supper is spiritual nourishment. Just as food nourishes our physical bodies, the bread and the wine symbolize the sustenance that Christ provides for our souls. When we partake in Communion, we are reminded that Jesus is the bread of life who sustains us. Jesus Himself described this spiritual nourishment in the Gospel of John.
In John 6:35, Jesus declares:
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
In John 6:53-56, Jesus says:
“Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.”
Here, Jesus speaks of a deep, spiritual connection between Him and the believer. When we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we are reminded of our union with Christ and our dependence on Him for spiritual strength. It is through this intimate relationship that we are spiritually nourished, sustained, and empowered to live as His disciples.
Claiming the blessing of spiritual nourishment during the Holy Communion means drawing on Christ’s strength to sustain our spiritual lives. This act of faith enables us to experience the fullness of His provision (worship, fellowship, obedience, meditating, and serving others), strengthening us to live out His teachings.
10. Receive Empowerment for Christian Living
The Lord’s Supper empowers us for Christian living. Jesus’ death and resurrection are not only the foundation of our salvation but also the source of our strength to live godly lives.
In Philippians 4:13, Paul declares:
“I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”
When we partake of the bread and the wine, we are reminded that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to us. Through the Lord’s Supper, we receive fresh strength and grace to overcome sin, endure trials, and live as witnesses for Christ in the world.
11. Draw Near to God with Confidence
Finally, the Lord’s Supper is an invitation to draw near to God with confidence, knowing that through Christ’s sacrifice, we have access to the throne of grace. The Eucharist is a tangible reminder that Jesus has opened the way for us to come boldly before God, bringing our prayers, needs, and praises before Him.
Hebrews 10:19-22 encourages believers to approach God confidently:
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings…”
Claiming the blessing of confidence means trusting that God welcomes us into His presence. The Holy Communion reassures us that we have been reconciled to God through Christ’s blood, empowering us to approach Him without fear.
Important Note: Approach the Lord’s Supper with Faith
Faith is the key to claiming the blessings of the Lord’s Supper. Without faith, it is just a ritual. But with faith, it becomes a powerful moment of communion with God.
Hebrews 11:6 says,
“Without faith it is impossible to please God.”
Therefore, as you approach the table, come with a heart full of faith, trusting in the promises of God.
Recap – The Lord’s Supper Blessings
The Lord’s Supper is more than just a ritual. It is a powerful moment where we can claim the blessings of forgiveness, healing, spiritual nourishment, unity with Christ and the Church, and empowerment. By approaching it with a heart of faith, repentance, and self-examination, believers can experience the full spectrum of blessings that God has made available through Christ’s sacrifice. As we partake in the bread and the wine, we are reminded that we are part of a new covenant, and in that covenant, we find grace, strength, and hope for every aspect of our lives.
The Lord’s Supper also enables us to proclaim Christ’s return and confidently draw near to God. Through the Holy Communion, we reaffirm our faith and receive the grace we need to live as Christ’s disciples in the world. By fully engaging in this sacrament with these 11 practical steps in action, we open ourselves to the fullness of God’s blessings.
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