In exploring the institution of the Lord’s Supper in Luke 22, we recognize that this meal is the most sacred act of our Christian worship. We understand the Wesleyan perspective of the Real Presence, acknowledging that while the bread and juice remain physically unchanged, Christ is truly and fully present with us through the power of the Holy Spirit. We see the sacrament as a vital Means of Grace that sustains us on our journey and works to sanctify our hearts, drawing us closer to the holiness of God. Ultimately, we approach the table not because we are worthy, but because we are invited into a mystery that transforms us, unites us with the global Church, and offers us a tangible experience of God’s mercy.

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Good morning! It’s so good to be with you on this Wednesday morning as we continue together in Luke. I hope your week is off to a great start. There is something truly sacred about this portion of the Gospel, and I’m glad we can unpack it together.

The Table of Real Presence: A Reflection on Luke 22:14–23

In Luke 22, we see Jesus taking His place at the table with the apostles. He tells them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” This is the moment where the old covenant meets the new.

I often talk about the “boundaries of orthodoxy”—the Creeds like the Apostles’ or the Nicene Creed. These are the walls of the “sandbox” we play in as Christians. They define the basics of who Jesus is and what He did. But inside that sandbox, different traditions have different ways of understanding the Lord’s Supper, and that’s okay. There is much to admire in the Catholic or Baptist perspectives, but as a United Methodist pastor, I want to share the beauty of our specific Wesleyan heart for this meal.

Why We Started a Church for a Meal

Did you know that the Methodist Church in America was essentially born out of a hunger for communion? During the Revolutionary War, the Anglican priests returned to England, leaving the Methodists here without anyone to serve the sacrament. In 1784, John Wesley sent Thomas Coke and Francis Asbury to America specifically so the people could finally receive the Lord’s Supper.

Elements and Consecration

In our tradition, we don’t believe in transubstantiation—the idea that the bread and juice physically turn into flesh and blood. Whether it’s a wafer, pita bread, or Hawaiian rolls (my personal favorite!), the elements remain bread and juice. But, when we stand over that table and pray for the Holy Spirit to consecrate those gifts, they are “set apart.” They become for us something holy.

We believe in the Real Presence of Christ. We don’t think communion is just a “memorial” or a way to look back at a past event. We believe that when you receive those elements, Christ is really and fully present within your heart. It is a “means of grace”—a tangible way that God pours His love and sanctifying power into our lives to make us more like Him.

The Meal for the Broken

I love that the passage ends with the disciples immediately arguing about which one of them was the greatest and who would betray Jesus. It’s so human, isn’t it? It reminds us that the table isn’t for people who have it all figured out. It’s for the frazzled, the failing, and the hungry.

Serving communion is the highlight of my ministry each month. I encourage you: whenever the door is open for you to receive the Lord’s Supper, take it. Don’t worry about being “good enough.” Just come to the table, experience the real presence of Jesus, and let His grace do the work of changing your heart.