Spiritual Directions

The beginning of the week is a good time to take stock, turning our minds backward, upward, inward, and forward. The Lord’s Supper touches on all these directions.

It looks backward to Christ’s giving himself in crucifixion for us. It looks upward in gratitude to the Father for grace and love of such a degree that he was willing to give up his Son for our salvation. It looks inward in self-examination that prompts sensitivity to matters of character and gratitude (1 Corinthians 11:28). It looks forward to when the One who died for us returns to take us to himself forever (1 Corinthians 11:26).

The bread and fruit of the vine are emblems that remind us to take stock of ourselves in relation to all the dimensions of life. This observance sets the context manner of living, and priorities for the week ahead.