“… this do in remembrance of me.”
Christians recognize these words spoken by Jesus at what we call “The Last Supper,” words which particularly refer to His last Passover meal here on earth. Jesus would soon be crucified, dying for our sins as 1 Corinthians 5:7 affirms “For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:”
Yes, Jesus is our Passover Lamb, and He is “The Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) As such, He delivers us from death through the blood applied (figuratively in our case) to the lintel, and the two side posts of our hearts, just as the Jews were saved in Egypt when the LORD passed over every household where he saw that precious blood had been literally so applied. The exact description is given in Luke 22:19-20 “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” That final Passover was the very first “LORD’s Supper” which we celebrate as Christians.
It is not a sacrament (at least as defined by most Baptists) although it is often considered so, but the only true “sacrament” in our view is “belief” for it is belief only that brings the saving grace of God into an individual’s life (John 3:16). Baptists generally believe that the LORD’s Supper is one of two church “ordinances” the other being baptism, both of which are observed in obedience and in remembrance of our precious Saviour and what He has done for us. At Pioneer Baptist, we observe the LORD’s Supper twice each year, following first the pattern of the original Passover, which was observed “In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD'S passover.” (Leviticus 23:5) and also including a second observance, drawing from the fact that under Moses’ Law there was a second opportunity for those who for various reasons were unclean and could not take the Passover on the appointed day (Numbers 9:10-11).
1 Corinthians 11:26 says “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.” Whenever we celebrate the LORD’s Supper, we are remembering His sacrificial death on the cross for our sins, we are celebrating the grace of salvation afforded us when we place our faith in Him, and we are looking forward to His return, both at the Rapture and at His Second Coming in power and glory. We are thankful for His love, we are sorrowful for His death, and we are encouraged and positive as we await His Return, a Return which also speaks of our knowledge of His Resurrection!
This is especially the season where we celebrate the LORD’s Supper “in remembrance” of all that the LORD Jesus Christ is, did, and does, and “in excited anticipation” of what he will soon do! Praise the LORD!
Love to all,
Pastor