02.04. The Feast of Remembrance

4. The Feast of Remembrance The ordinances of the Gospel are very precious and helpful when rightly used. They are golden pitchers, and, when filled with the living water, they minister refreshment and strength to the soul. But we need the exercise of faith and love — we need a right knowledge of the purpose for which they were given — we need to keep close to the teaching of the Scriptures, that we may obtain a true view of the way they bring comfort and help to the believer. This is especially the case with respect to the Lord’s Supper. It may easily be perverted. Unless used aright, it may prove a hindrance instead of a help in drawing nearer to the Savior.

1. Remember that this is an ordinance, and not a sacrifice. It is in no sense a sacrifice, except as a part of that sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving which the Christian ought ever to be offering. There was nothing sacrificial about the ordinance at its institution. It was in the upper room, and not in the temple — it was on a table, and not on an altar. Nor is there in its present observance anything of a sin-atoning offering or sacrifice. There is no priest to offer it, for Christ’s ministers in the New Testament are never once spoken of as such. There is no altar, for it is the "Lord’s Table" around which Christ’s people meet. There is no victim, for the body of Christ is in Heaven and not on earth.

Remember, then, that the Lord’s Supper is an ordinance, and not a sacrifice. The original meaning of the word "ordinance" teaches the believer a precious lesson. It was the word used for the oath of fidelity which the Roman soldier took to the Emperor — it may therefore remind you how faithful each believer is bound to be as a soldier of the great Captain of his salvation. But in its present meaning it reminds us that the Lord’s Supper is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace. Through that which we see, we are to look up to that which we do not see. Through the outward ordinance, we are to look up to the invisible Savior, and learn more to rely upon Him.

Remember, also, that the Lord’s Supper is the ordinance of remembrance. Its main design is to lead Christians to remember Christ — it is to lead us directly to Himself. We are not to rest in the ordinance, but to fix every thought on Jesus and His dying love. When you go to His Table, think on Gethsemane and Calvary. Ponder all that He has wrought for your salvation, that as you dwell upon His tender pity and loving-kindness, your hearts may burn within you, and every power of your soul may bless His holy name. Be careful ever to keep this in mind. Only in proportion as the Lord’s Supper leads you straight to Christ Himself, and binds you closer to Him, do you reap its true profit. Too often Christ Himself, His love, His promise, His free salvation — is obscured, rather than set forth in this ordinance.

"I grieve over my church," said an aged Christian lady, with reference to a church where extreme views and practices prevailed: "they have hidden Christ behind the altar!" Alas, in many cases it is too true! The table is changed into an altar, and then, behind a cloud of ceremonies, behind exaggerated and unscriptural views of this ordinance — Christ Himself — the crucified, risen, exalted, glorified Savior, the living Friend, the great High Priest of His Church — is too often left in the background. The Sacrament is frequented; but the Savior Himself is forgotten, or not enthroned supreme on the altar of the heart.

2. This ordinance is a Parable — and not a Miracle. As there is nothing sacrificial — so is there nothing miraculous about it. The bread remains bread — and the wine remains wine. There is no change in the elements, neither is there anything added to them. They are set apart for a sacred purpose; but neither the words of Christ Himself in the first instance, nor the words of His ministers now, effect any change in their substance. When people bow the head and worship as if Christ’s body and blood were present on the Lord’s Table — it is as truly idolatry, as if they worshiped an idol of gold or silver. A caution is needed in these days, and may be a word to guide the young believer. Never bow the head to anything you can see — whether it be to the elements in the Sacrament, or the so-called altar, or to any image of Christ or Virgin or Saint — whatever it is, never bow down to it! "Flee from idolatry." Shrink from any approach to so great a sin. Watch against the first step to that which is dishonoring to God, and so distinctly forbidden in the second commandment and throughout His Word. But if the Lord’s Supper is in no sense a miracle — it is an exquisite parable of redeeming grace. It is a lively representation, a beautiful type and emblem of the marvelous love of Christ.

It is said that our Lord’s words, "This is my body," ought, without question or dispute, to make us believe a presence in the elements. But what are words, except to show the mind of Him who utters them? And must we not judge one part of our Lord’s teaching by another? And was not our Lord’s teaching from first to last ever by figure and parable, leading those who heard Him to further inquiry and thought? And was it not so very evidently in this case? Our Lord takes into His hand the bread, and, having broken it, He gives it to each one of them, saying, "Take, eat — this is my body which is given unto you; do this in remembrance of Me." As if He would say, "See here in type and figure, my sacred body. Now you see it whole, active, living — but as I break this bread before your eyes, so before another day pass shall you see this body of mine bruised, wounded, torn, broken. The nails shall tear these hands and feet. The cruel scourge shall plough deep furrows on my back. The spear shall pierce this side. And it is all for you. Others may give you less costly gifts — but I give you myself, my body to bleed and die for your salvation. And whensoever you eat this bread, ever think of my dying love, and nourish your souls by trusting in my finished sacrifice." So likewise was it when our Lord gave them the cup: "Drink of this, for this cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins. This do you as oft as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." (Compare Matthew 26:27-28; 1 Corinthians 11:25.) As if He would say, "You know how in olden times the blood was perpetually shed. Moses took the blood of beasts and sprinkled both the book and the people. Aaron went into the Holy Place every year, with the blood of the sacrifices. But all this could never give peace with God, for such sacrifices could never take away sin. But now I make a new covenant with you — I offer you, in my blood, free and complete remission. And this cup is a figure of this new covenant, and of the blood which seals it — this wine poured forth testifies of the blood which tomorrow shall be shed for the sins of the world. It tells of that crimson stream of salvation in which the souls of my people shall be cleansed. Therefore drink of it, every one of you. Take this cup and drink this wine, and thus give a pledge that you accept my covenant and trust only in my precious blood."

Taken in this sense, all is plain and clear. There is nothing forced or unnatural about it. It is exactly in a line with our Lord’s other teaching, and it gives us a very blessed view of the work Christ wrought on our behalf.

3. This ordinance is a blessed Channel of grace — but not the Fountain of grace. You are not to regard the ordinance as necessarily bringing grace to the soul — you are not to put the ordinance in the place of the Spirit, who alone can quicken and sanctify the believer. At the same time it is a channel of rich blessing to all who come to it in the spirit of faith and prayer. While we deny that there is grace in the elements, we most strongly affirm that there is grace to be found in a believing use of the ordinance. But it is all the work of the Holy Spirit. You obey Christ’s command, you come to His Table, you eat the bread and drink the wine — and Christ, by His Spirit, draws near. You have fellowship with Him in His sufferings. Your heart is cheered with a fresh sense of His pardoning mercy. You see His love in a clearer light; you are strengthened inwardly, as by faith you feed on His body once given for you. You are comforted, as you trust more fully in His cleansing blood. You know not how, but Christ has been by your side manifesting Himself to you as He does not to the world. You go back to the common duties of life with His peace in your heart, and longing more than ever to live to His glory. But how may you gain most of this true and lasting benefit? How may you come to this ordinance, that you may grow in grace and have nearer fellowship with Christ?

Secure a time for quiet, thoughtful communing with your own heart, before drawing near to the Table. Contemplate your daily life, and inquire whether you are walking consistently with your high calling. Have you been pressing forward — or halting along the way? Has any special sin been drawing you back? Then, in the remembrance of what you are, hiding nothing and excusing nothing — yield yourself afresh to the Savior without the least reserve. Fall low, and look up. Be humble, and yet trust the Lord fully. He will accept you and He will help you. Therefore "be not afraid, only believe."

Make it your habit to come regularly. Whether it be each month, or more frequently, have your fixed time for coming, and let nothing but the most urgent necessity hinder you. Do not keep back because of your failings — let them rather lead you to seek more strength by coming. Do not stay away because you do not feel as you desire. It is a great snare to dwell upon feelings — they are very changeable, but Christ is ever the same. When you seem to lack all right feeling, throw yourself on Christ, and He will in due season supply your need. When you come to the Holy Communion, draw near in a prayerful, trustful spirit. Come, ever taking the lowest place — sit down in the lowest room. What are you but a sinner — a saved sinner at best? "What do you have, that you did not receive?" Still, come praying, trusting, expecting. The Lord delights to fill empty vessels, and to make the weakest and most unworthy monuments, to His praise and glory. Open your mouth wide, and He will fill it. And when the Communion season is over, take heed to your heart, that you lose not the blessing you may have gained.

Keep the fire burning;
stir up the grace that is in you;
watch against declension in prayer;
study the Word diligently;
be faithful to your King, and work and live for Him;
cherish a spirit of genuine, sincere love to your fellow-believers. So shall you approve yourselves to be the Lord’s. He will ever be with you, and set you before His face forever.

PRAYER
O Lord Jesus, the Hope of Your people, I come to Your Table, for You have bidden me. Teach me ever to come aright. May the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, reign in my heart. Give me the spirit of wisdom and understanding, that I may know Your truth. Fill me with the fear and love of Your holy name.

Blessed Savior, draw very near to me, and make this ordinance a means of blessing to my soul. Bring me into closer fellowship with Yourself. My soul cleaves unto the dust. Oh, quicken me, that I may love You with my whole heart. Grant unto me the grace of the covenant which You have made in Your blood. Remember no more against me, my sins and iniquities. Write Your law in my heart, that I may not depart from You. Anoint me with an unction from above, and keep me faithful to You forever by Your mighty power. O Lord, I beseech You, bless those who draw near with me to Your Table. Knit us together in Christian charity, and make us to love one another with a pure heart fervently. Stir up Your faithful people, that they may abound in every good word and work.

Hear these my prayers — and when You hear forgive, and do for us according to Your mercy, for Your name’s sake. Amen.