It was the day/evening just prior to an event that would change the course of history for a great number of people. Most of the participants didn't really understand what would take place that night, and through the next day. Yet, God was about to do something truly powerful. He was set to deliver His people. So, standing on the eve of the day when He would do great things, He commanded His people to partake of a meal.
Essentially, God commanded His people to "Do this!" In the context when this command was first given, God was about to free His people from slavery, slavery in Egypt. As they sat down to the meal, God had commanded them to "Do this," not merely on that evening, but every year, as a reminder of God's mighty action in freeing His people from slavery and bringing them to freedom.
"Do this!" Sure, it sounds almost like a military style command. Yet, I would suggest that we can also look at it another way. "Do this", as in, remember what I have done for you with thankfulness. God had brought His people out of their suffering and slavery, with the intent to bring them to the land He had promised their ancestors. Do this, and remember that I am a God who is for you, who is on your side, and who wants to do good for you. Do this, because this meal will remind you of the extent of my grace and goodness for you.
So, in the context of a future celebration of that same meal, Jesus was set to change the course of history for many people of this world. He was about to do mighty things, such as conquering sin, death, and the power of the devil. So, on the eve of such titanic events, as He sat at the meal with His followers, He told them to "Do this, in remembrance of me."
Why do we want to celebrate the holy Supper of our Lord frequently? Because every time we do, we are reminded of the extent of God's grace to us. We remember that Jesus loves us enough to give His very life for us. Every time we receive the bread and wine, which is His body and blood, we are brought back to the price He paid on the cross, and to His victorious resurrection from the dead. We are reminded of how valuable we are to God, that He would send His Son to do such things for us.
I don't know about you, but knowing such a thing makes me want to "Do this" as often as I can. So, as we ponder changing our earlier time of worship to celebrating the supper every week, I think that these words of our Lord Jesus speak powerfully as to why we should "Do this" every week.
Essentially, God commanded His people to "Do this!" In the context when this command was first given, God was about to free His people from slavery, slavery in Egypt. As they sat down to the meal, God had commanded them to "Do this," not merely on that evening, but every year, as a reminder of God's mighty action in freeing His people from slavery and bringing them to freedom.
"Do this!" Sure, it sounds almost like a military style command. Yet, I would suggest that we can also look at it another way. "Do this", as in, remember what I have done for you with thankfulness. God had brought His people out of their suffering and slavery, with the intent to bring them to the land He had promised their ancestors. Do this, and remember that I am a God who is for you, who is on your side, and who wants to do good for you. Do this, because this meal will remind you of the extent of my grace and goodness for you.
So, in the context of a future celebration of that same meal, Jesus was set to change the course of history for many people of this world. He was about to do mighty things, such as conquering sin, death, and the power of the devil. So, on the eve of such titanic events, as He sat at the meal with His followers, He told them to "Do this, in remembrance of me."
Why do we want to celebrate the holy Supper of our Lord frequently? Because every time we do, we are reminded of the extent of God's grace to us. We remember that Jesus loves us enough to give His very life for us. Every time we receive the bread and wine, which is His body and blood, we are brought back to the price He paid on the cross, and to His victorious resurrection from the dead. We are reminded of how valuable we are to God, that He would send His Son to do such things for us.
I don't know about you, but knowing such a thing makes me want to "Do this" as often as I can. So, as we ponder changing our earlier time of worship to celebrating the supper every week, I think that these words of our Lord Jesus speak powerfully as to why we should "Do this" every week.
Why not have the Lords' Supper at every service?
ReplyDeleteThe Church of Christ celebrates the Lord's Supper every week at each service.
ReplyDelete