“The Lord Jesus . . . took bread: And when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: This do in remembrance of me. . . . This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me” (I Corinthians 11:23–25)
The occasion of our text is, of course, the last supper Christ ate with His disciples before He was betrayed and crucified, dying a sacrificial death for our sins. At this meal He instituted the precious ordinance of communion, to be regularly observed by Christians, during which we are to “remember” His death in a special way.
A touching communion hymn entitled, “According to Thy Gracious Word,” helps focus our thoughts on Christ’s ordeal, and we may use it these next few days to enhance our study.
According to Thy gracious Word, In meek humility, This will I do, my dying Lord, I will remember Thee.
The Greek structure of the verb “do,” used twice in our text, signifies a command to continue “doing” this action as an integral part of one’s lifestyle. We are to make it a habit to regularly observe the “Lord’s Supper,” as it has come to be known, when we “come together” (v.33) with other Christians. His gracious word has told us to do so, and we must obey.
But this should not be done in meaningless rote, but as our song says, in meekness and humility. Those who do so “unworthily [literally ‘in an unworthy manner’] shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord” (v.27). A careful self-examination (v.28) should reveal all unconfessed sin, to be followed by true repentance and forgiveness. Then we can fully “remember” Him. JDM
