They Thought It Was

Of the only two nouns modified by “Lord’s” in the New Testament, we know the “Lord’s day” (Revelation 1:10) and we also see the “Lord’s supper.” It’s the same type of construction (the first attributive position describing a quality about the noun) and the exact same adjective (κυριακός).

When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. (1 Corinthians 11:20 ESV)

This chapter is the place where Paul references the instructions he received from the Lord about the supper. But we should note that the instructions come in a context of corrections, and even the great name itself is in a sentence that isn’t what it should be. “It is not the Lord’s supper.”

They thought it was. But they were being selfish. Some of them were eating while others weren’t. It wasn’t the Lord’s supper, it was their supper. “Each one goes ahead with his own meal” (verse 21).

How ironic for them to take at a Table of gift. How inappropriate for them to eat and drink in reference to themselves, when Jesus gave His flesh and blood so that we could eat and drink in reconciliation to God through Him. How wrong for them to humiliate those who had nothing when they had nothing they hadn’t been given.

In order to be the genuine supper, we’ve got to do it together in remembrance of Him. He is our Lord Jesus.