Dear Readers,
PARTAKING THE LORD’S SUPPER
Text: 1 Corinthians 11:20-34
Today is Good Friday. On this day, we commemorate the death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross as the Lamb of God. By the shedding of Christ’s blood, we have remission for our sins.
It is the tradition of Tabernacle Bible-Presbyterian Church to have the Lord’s Supper for the Good Friday service. This is most appropriate. Why is this so?
First, let us understand that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by the Lord Himself as a holy sacrament (c.f. Matt. 26:26-28; Luke 22:19-20). A sacrament is a means of grace instituted by God, and serves as an outward sign of the inward grace of the believer. It is just like the wedding rings worn by a married couple. It is by the marriage vow that a couple is married, and not the wedding rings. Nevertheless, the rings serve as a sign of the reality of their marriage. So it is the case of the Lord’s Supper, which is meant to be an outward sign of the inward reality of the salvation of the believer, who was purchased by the blood of Christ.
The purpose of the Lord’s Supper is best summarised by Paul in 1 Corinthians 11, where he declared twice that “it is in remembrance of Him.” The cup represents the blood of Christ that was shed for our sins, while the bread represents the body of Christ that was broken for us. The Lord’s Supper is also a “visible sermon” (Mathison) whereby the death of Christ is proclaimed (1 Cor. 11:26). Since today is Good Friday, a commemoration and proclamation of Christ’s death by the partaking of the Lord’s Supper is certainly most appropriate!
On the other hand, the Lord’s Supper is not just a mere commemoration of the death of Christ, but also a spiritual exercise. It was a spiritual exercise to be participated with utmost fear, reverence and thanksgiving. This was the message of Paul to the Corinthian church. Some of them had turn the Lord’s Supper into a “love feast” of partying and revelry. They did not have a proper regard of the blood and body of Christ. Because of this, some of the Corinthian Christians were struck with grievous illnesses, and some even died (1 Cor. 11:27-30).
Therefore, as we come partake of the Lord’s Supper today, let us make sure that we partake of the Lord’s Supper worthily. In humble adoration, let us confess and repent of our sins before the Lord. Let us be thankful and joyful for the work of Christ on the cross. As the founding pastor of the Bible-Presbyterian Church once said in a Good Friday sermon, “Let there be no betrayal at the Lord’s Supper, and a grateful remembrance always, as we show the Lord’s death till He come.”
Preacher Clement Chew
