I have been thinking about the Lord’s Supper more than usual lately. Not just on Sunday morning, but throughout the week, and at night when I lie down. I ponder over Jesus’ sacrifice, of course; the Biblically ordained emblems that we take in remembrance of Him; the events that led up to his trials and arrest; the horrific suffering, pain, and agony that He endured during His crucifixion; the reason He left heaven to come to earth in the first place; and on and on. Serious thoughts of the Lord’s Supper can occupy our minds for lengthy periods of time, And They Should. This article will be the first in a short series to help all of us be reminded of what this great memorial feast is all about and to better comprehend it’s meaning for Christians.
“God so loved what wondrous measure! Loved and GAVE ‘THE BEST OF HEAVEN’
Bought us with that MATCHLESS TREASURE, Yea for us His life was given.
There are many reasons that the Lord’s Supper was commanded to be observed on the first day of every week, why it should mean so much to each one of us as children of the King, why it is such a serious observance of the greatest sacrifice ever given, and why we should think of it often. But I believe the greatest reason the eating and communing of the Lord’s Supper is monumentally important is because of THE GIFT: GOD GAVE US THE VERY BEST THAT HEAVEN HAD TO OFFER – His only Begotten Son, and this Supper reminds us of that fact!
That GIFT will be our focus in this first article designed to help us grasp the implications of the Memorial Feast that we celebrate every First Day. It all begins with God’s great love for mankind. “For God SO LOVED the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son..” (Jn 3:16). That depth of love cannot be truly understood in human terms, but the Holy Spirit said that He LOVED US SO MUCH that it can only be described as a “Wondrous Measure” of love, and that this rich GIFT is a “Matchless Treasure” unable to be defined in human terms or values.
In II Corinthians chapter 9, Paul is discussing the collection of funds for the needy saints in Jerusalem. He tells the Corinthian brethren how thankful those in need were for the generous and bountiful GIFT that was sent. In closing these thoughts, Paul writes that the needy saints Long for you because of the exceeding GRACE of God in you. Thanks be to God for His INDESCRIBABLE GIFT! (II Cor 9:14-15). This Indescribable /Inexpressible / Unspeakable/Incomparable GIFT Paul refers to is simply the GRACE of God that was demonstrated in the GIFT of His Son to die for our sins. All four of those Scriptural adjectives appropriately describe not only God’s GRACE and GIFT, but also the magnitude of the Lord’s Supper Feast.
In his writing to the Philippians, that same inspired writer made it perfectly clear that God’s gift of His Son was indeed, the BEST OF HEAVEN. Speaking of Christ Jesus, Paul wrote, “Who, being in the FORM OF GOD, did not consider it robbery to be EQUAL WITH GOD, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore, God has HIGHLY EXALTED HIM and given Him the name which is ABOVE EVERY NAME, that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, of those in heaven, and those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that EVERY TONGUE SHOULD CONFESS that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father”. (Phil 2:6-11).
In these elaborate words of praise for our Savior, The Holy Spirit speaks in extremes: Christ was in the very form of God. He was equal with God. The Father Himself did not just exalt Jesus, but highly exalted Him. And God gave His Son a name above every name. Finally, God chose THE BEST OF HEAVEN to bring us all to a day when every knee will bow to Him in submission and subjection, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father. That is God’s GIFT to us!
How Deep The Father’s Love For Us
How deep the Father’s love for us. How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son, to make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss. The Father turns His face away
As wounds that mar the Chosen One bring many sons to glory.
Behold the Man upon a cross. My sin upon His shoulders.
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there, Until it was accomplished.
His dying breath has brought me life. I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything; no gifts, no power, no wisdom.
But I will boast in Jesus Christ; His death and resurrection.
What should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart. His wounds have paid my ransom!
The Lord’s Supper/When We Meet In Sweet Communion
When we meet in sweet communion, where the feast divine is spread;
Hearts are brought in closer union whole partaking of the bread.
“God so loved” what wondrous measure! Loved and gave the BEST OF HEAVEN;
Bought us with that matchless treasure, Yea, for us, His life was giv’n.
Feast divine, all else surpassing; Precious blood for you and me;
While we sup, Christ gently whispers: ‘Do this in My memory’.
Precious feast, all else surpassing; Wondrous love for you and me;
While we feast Christ gently whispers: ‘Do this in My memory’.
May these words and thoughts help each one of us improve our focus and meditation on our Savior and the scenes at Calvary, as we observe the Lord’s Supper this Lord’s Day and every week until He comes again. More next time..