This question builds on the previous one, which answered: What is the Lord’s Supper? Now, just like with baptism, we have a clarifying follow-up. Baptism is a beautiful picture of our saving faith in Jesus Christ, but it does not wash away sin itself. Baptism is necessary for the Christian life but not for salvation.

In the same way, this question asks whether the Lord’s Supper adds anything to Christ’s atoning work. Again, the answer is no. Christ died once for all. This language comes directly form the book of Hebrews. He died one time, for all His people and for all their sins. Nothing more needs to be done for us to receive forgiveness. Christ has completed that work.

The Lord’s Supper, then, does not add to what Christ had done. Instead, as the catechism says, it is a covenant meal celebrating his atoning work. Throughout the Bible and the throughout history, covenants are made and then ratified with a meal. Sharing a meal expresses fellowship and commitment within the covenant. That is what the Lord’s Supper is, a covenant meal celebrating what Christ has accomplished for us.

Notice, however, that the catechism identifies more than one benefit of receiving the Lord’s Supper. It is also a means of strengthening our faith as we look to Christ. During the Reformation, there was disagreement over the nature of Christ’s presence in the Lord’s Supper. Ulrich Zwingli emphasized the memorial view, which argues that it is purely a meal of remembrance. Luther, like Roman Catholics, argued for the “real presence” of Christ, even though Lutherans distinguish consubstantiation from the Catholic transubstantiation. Calvin argued for the true presence of Christ, though not bodily but spiritually and uniquely. Just as God is omnipresent but manifested His presence especially in the tabernacle and temple, so does Christ give a special manifestation of His spiritual presence at the Lord’s Supper.

I hold both Zwingli and Calvin’s views happily together, as it seems does the catechism. Thus, as we come to the Table, we look upon Christ, not with physical eyes but with the eyes of faith. We look upon ordinary bread and an ordinary cup. But by faith, we see what the signs point to. We behold Christ Himself and His broken body and shed blood through these elements.

The catechism also reminds us that the Supper is a foretaste of the future feast. The bread and cup are only a small taste, yet by faith, they anticipate the Wedding Feast of the Lamb that we will one day celebrate together.

All these benefits are true for us. But the catechism also ends with a warning: those who take part with unrepentant hearts eat and drink judgment on themselves. Every Sunday when we observe the Lord’s Supper, I read Paul’s warning from 1 Corinthians 11, warning not to take the Supper in an unworthy manner. Of course, that phrase is often misunderstood to mean that if someone has been especially sinful during the week, he or she should not participate in the Lord’s Supper. Indeed, the truth is the opposite. When we have sinned, we most need the reminder of the gospel that the Lord’s Supper gives.

The key to coming worthily is not sinlessness but repentance. To come in an unworthy manner is come thinking that we are sufficient in ourselves and that we have been good enough to earn a seat at God’s table. That attitude disqualifies because it contradicts the very purpose of the Lord’s Supper. It exists to testify to our desperate need for Christ.

So, when you come to the table, remember this: you will never be worthy in your own righteousness. The only way to come worthily is to come as a beggar, fully aware of your need for Christ. As the hymn rightly says, “All the fitness He requireth is to feel your need of Him.”