The Lord’s Supper is the memorial of the cross. It follows baptism which is the symbol of our dying with Christ. Unbaptized believers are not contemplated anywhere in the New Testament. It is not so much that we as believers see the end of our lives in the death of Christ as we see the end of ourselves—not just the conclusion of our sins in Christ but the conclusion of ourselves. The objective results of Christ’s death are stated in Galatians 2:20—“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me” (NASB). This took place 2000 years ago before we existed and yet believer’s sins were taken care of. Going back further that, every child of God can go back to eternity. God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world. We have to think about what it cost Christ to pay for our sins. That is humbling.

The objective results of Christ’s death are stated first. This is followed by the subjective side. The objective side is Calvary. The subjective side is the inside of the Christian. Therefore, we are to reckon ourselves, count it to be true, yield to Him. It is a delight to the Christian to obey the law. Therefore, baptism becomes a memorial followed by the Lord’s Supper.

We have a Person to remember—Jesus Christ. Christ is our chief joy. This precedes everything else. We anticipate Christ’s coming, establishing the kingdom, and gathering us to Himself —“by His appearing and His kingdom” (II Tim. 4:1 NASB) and “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to Him” (II Thess. 2:1 NASB). Then there is our attitude concerning the memorial. We must examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith (II Cor. 13:5). Anticipation becomes greater and greater with the Christian. It grows with his knowledge of the Lord.

The Old Testament sacrifices brought “sins” to remembrance. The Lord’s Supper brings not only “sins” but “Christ” to remembrance. The Lord’s Supper is a symbol. It is to bring to our mind’s eye the Person and Work of Jesus Christ.

 

Copyright ã   2002

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