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Remembering the Lord
As Christians, we wear the name of Christ (Christian) indicating who we follow after. We are recipients of the grace and mercy of God in being offered forgiveness of our sins, when the just punishment we deserve is eternal condemnation. Behold the great love of God that was demonstrated in the giving of His son, Jesus the Christ. Yet, despite this great sacrifice, we can often tend to take this gift for granted. Our lives continue to go on day after day and we can forget to remember how great of a sacrifice was made for each of us. Thankfully, God in His infinite knowledge has given us a privilege and responsibility to remember what was done for us by observing the Lord’s Supper each first day of the week until He comes again (Luke 22:14-20).
Often, it is easy for us to become so involved in the details of the Lord’s Supper that we forget its real significance. Not that we should ignore any details, but our purpose in partaking is to remember Christ’s death and our deliverance from sin (Matt. 26:28). While partaking of the Lord’s Supper, first it is necessary that we remember. The Lord’s Supper should be eaten with a look backward to the life and death of Jesus. Worship requires work and effort in order to overcome the distractions within our minds and around us. In order to do this, we should remember the great love that was demonstrated on the cross. Paul writes, “but God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). We should also remember the willingness of Christ to humble Himself by giving up everything and suffering a cruel death on the cross (Philippians 2:6-8). We need to realize that Jesus led a perfect life in every way in order for us to be saved (Romans 5:10).
Self-examination is also necessary while partaking of the Lord’s Supper. Each Christian should examine themselves before and during the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:28). We must seriously contemplate our lives and relationship to Christ or we are unworthy of Jesus’ body and blood. We should realize our unworthiness of the Lord’s sacrifice because of our sins and ask for God’s help in the future. Think on Jesus! Such soul searching should prompt us to become more resolute in our goals to live better, more thoughtful lives in service to our God.
It is also necessary that we partake looking forward. In 1 Corinthians 11:26, Paul wrote, “for as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” Therefore, we see that this remembrance is something that is to continue to take place until the Lord comes back. When we partake, we should understand that the Lord is going to come back. We should appreciate all that the Lord has done for us and also anticipate what is yet to come. Christians should long for the coming of the Lord (2 Peter 3:12). As we partake looking forward to His return, we must realize the necessity of being an alert and prepared people (1 Thessalonians 5:6). The one who partakes of the Lord’s Supper in a worthy way remembers Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, while looking forward to His return.
Our sin required a sacrifice to atone for our sins. He instituted the Lord’s Supper that we might become partakers with Him (1 Corinthians 10:16). We see in Acts 20:7 that the early New Testament Christians practiced this same remembrance on the first day of the week and that Paul even remained on with the brethren for several days that he might to partake in the remembrance with them. We should never take for granted what was done and be thankful that Christ offered up Himself as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. As we partake, let us all remember Christ’s death, examine ourselves, and look forward to His return again. Praise God for what a great sacrifice!
As Christians, we all realize the blessings that we are partakers of in Jesus Christ.
