Podcast Summary: Ask Ligonier – "Why Is the Lord's Supper Important?"

Episode Date: February 5, 2026
Host: Nathan W. Bingham
Featured Guest: Dr. W. Robert Godfrey, Ligonier Ministries Teaching Fellow

Episode Overview

This episode of Ask Ligonier, recorded live at Ligonier’s 2025 national conference, centers around a classic and foundational question: "Why is the Lord’s Supper important?" Dr. W. Robert Godfrey provides a thoughtful, theologically rich response, addressing the biblical, historical, and practical dimensions of the Lord’s Supper, especially from a Reformed perspective.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Lord’s Supper’s Institution and Its Foundational Importance

• [00:23] Dr. Godfrey:
  • The Lord’s Supper is commanded and instituted by Jesus Himself, making its importance unquestionable for Christians.
    • Quote: “The most obvious thing is that Jesus says it’s important.” ([00:23])
  • Jesus established the Supper during a deeply significant moment—on “the night in which he was betrayed,” demonstrating its deep weight and purpose.
    • “To think that he paused in the midst of that to institute this supper for us, it’s clear it was very important for him.” ([00:37])
  • The Lord’s Supper is meant to remain central for the people of God “until he came again to eat the Messianic banquet in the eternal kingdom.”

2. The Meaning and Significance of the Supper

• Ceremony of Commitment and Loyalty
  • Drawing from Paul in 1 Corinthians 11, Dr. Godfrey notes that the Supper occurs on the night of betrayal, highlighting its aspect as a “ceremony of commitment.”
    • “As Judas betrayed him, we’re to be loyal to him. It’s a feast of loyalty to Jesus and of commitment to Jesus. And it’s a feast of Jesus, loyalty and commitment to us.” ([01:35])
  • The sacraments (like the Lord’s Supper) are given to “confirm the promises of the Gospel.”
    • Quote: “The promise of the Gospel is that our salvation is in the body and blood of Christ. And so the Lord’s Supper is instituted to confirm that promise.” ([01:54])

3. Reformed Understanding of the Elements

• No Magical Change, But Real Relationship
  • The Reformed view rejects transubstantiation (the bread and wine turning into body and blood) but affirms a real, spiritual connection between the elements and Christ’s body and blood.
    • Quote: “He wants to establish a real relationship between his body and blood, his life… and the life he gives to us in the Gospel promise and is confirmed to us in the institution of the Lord’s Supper.” ([02:38])

4. Personal Assurance and Spiritual Presence

• Assurance of God’s Promises
  • The Lord’s Supper assures believers personally that the Gospel promise is for them, not just for others.
    • Quote: “One of the problems people can have spiritually with the promises of God is to ask, does it really count for me?... I believe Jesus is the Savior, but is Jesus my Savior?” ([03:00])
    • The sacraments help believers say, “Yes, Jesus in the sacraments has touched me with his promise.”
  • Reception of the promises in faith is crucial for them to become a “saving blessing.”

5. Scriptural Foundation: John 6 and The Lord’s Supper

• Jesus’ shocking words about eating his body and drinking his blood in John 6, while not directly about the Supper, have strong implications.
  • Quote: “Unless you are related to me as intimately as eating my body and drinking my blood, you have no part in me.” ([03:56])
  • The Supper is portrayed as a vital means of connection and dependence on Christ’s sacrifice.

6. Sacraments as Spiritual Means, Not Mere Symbols

• Physicality and Spiritual Reality
  • Dr. Godfrey defends the significance of physical elements in salvation, referencing Martin Luther’s teaching.
    • Quote: “Luther says… we’re saved by things that are physical. A physical body of Jesus, physical blood of Jesus offered on a physical cross... God acts through physical things. We shouldn’t be nervous about that. We shouldn’t over spiritualize things.” ([04:46])
  • Both the Word and the sacrament are means by which believers are truly connected to Christ.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “The Lord’s Supper comes close to us with the promise of God.” – Dr. W. Robert Godfrey ([02:48])
• “If I receive it in faith. And for us as Reformed Christians, that’s really crucial.” ([03:26])
• “So God has given us a gift of bread and wine and he wants us to use it for our encouragement in being loyal to him, but even more importantly, to be confirmed that he is loyal to us.” ([05:26])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:23: Why the Lord’s Supper is important—Jesus’ command and example
• 01:35: Lord’s Supper as a ceremony of loyalty and confirmation of Gospel promises
• 02:38: Reformed view on bread and wine and Christ’s real spiritual presence
• 03:00: Assurance of personal applicability of God’s promises
• 03:56: Discussion of John 6 and Jesus’ shocking language about eating his flesh
• 04:46: Luther, physicality in salvation, and overcoming evangelical nervousness
• 05:26: The Supper’s encouragement: God’s loyalty to us
• 05:48: (End of substantive content; outro begins)

Takeaways

• The Lord’s Supper is essential because Christ Himself instituted it and commands His followers to observe it.
• It is a means of grace, not merely a symbol—confirming God’s promises personally, strengthening loyalty, and spiritually connecting believers to Christ by faith.
• Physical things matter: the elements of bread and wine are God’s gift to ground our faith, pointing us to Christ’s incarnation, sacrifice, and ongoing presence.

This episode offers both robust theological insight and practical pastoral comfort for any Christian wondering about the profound meaning and value of coming to the Lord’s Table.