“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 ESV)
On Thursday, September 8th, 2022, the world was told that Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning British monarch, passed at age 96. The official announcement was posted on the door of the gate at Buckingham Palace: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and the Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.” Though brief, this proclamation went throughout the country of England, the realms, the Commonwealth, and the world. The Queen held the respect and deep affection of many. Yet almost two years after the grand State Funeral at Westminster Abbey ended, where tributes were made to her extraordinary reign and remarkable life of service, life continues…business as usual. Her death is rarely spoken of.
Regarding the death of Christ, however, the apostle Paul tells us, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
It’s significant that he speaks here of the repetitive and continual proclamation of Christ’s death. Why is this important? Each time you and I partake of the Lord’s Supper, we make a public announcement of Jesus’ death and our personal identification with it. We declare not only the fact that He died, but also all that it means.
Shortly after my fifteenth birthday, I partook of Communion for the first time. I was told that since I had reached that age, it was time for me to do so so that I could become a member of the church. I complied, but had little to no understanding of what it really meant. For me, it was mere ritual and fulfillment of expectation. Now that I’ve come into a personal relationship with the Lord, my entire understanding and approach to Communion has changed. This has taken my relationship with Him to a deeper, more intimate level. It’s become an occasion of true worship, with gratitude for all He has done to bring me to Himself, as well as means of spiritual warfare.
When we “eat this bread and drink the cup,” we proclaim the power of the Lord’s death to save. We proclaim it’s effectiveness to redeem us and reconcile us to God (Rom 5:10-11). Who do we proclaim it to? We proclaim it throughout the realm of His reign. To the angels who long to see and understand this mystery (1 Pet 1:12). To the demonic realm, whom Jesus disarmed and put to open shame, reminding them of their defeat (Col 2:15). To unbelievers, that they may know there is a Redeemer. And to ourselves, to remind us that He paid sin’s penalty for us, in our place. Oh, what power there is in the proclamation! We don’t have to be eloquent speakers. Each time we eat the bread and drink the cup, this grand and glorious truth reverberates throughout creation.
Questions for Reflection:
On Thursday, September 8th, 2022, the world was told that Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning British monarch, passed at age 96. The official announcement was posted on the door of the gate at Buckingham Palace: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and the Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.” Though brief, this proclamation went throughout the country of England, the realms, the Commonwealth, and the world. The Queen held the respect and deep affection of many. Yet almost two years after the grand State Funeral at Westminster Abbey ended, where tributes were made to her extraordinary reign and remarkable life of service, life continues…business as usual. Her death is rarely spoken of.
Regarding the death of Christ, however, the apostle Paul tells us, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
It’s significant that he speaks here of the repetitive and continual proclamation of Christ’s death. Why is this important? Each time you and I partake of the Lord’s Supper, we make a public announcement of Jesus’ death and our personal identification with it. We declare not only the fact that He died, but also all that it means.
Shortly after my fifteenth birthday, I partook of Communion for the first time. I was told that since I had reached that age, it was time for me to do so so that I could become a member of the church. I complied, but had little to no understanding of what it really meant. For me, it was mere ritual and fulfillment of expectation. Now that I’ve come into a personal relationship with the Lord, my entire understanding and approach to Communion has changed. This has taken my relationship with Him to a deeper, more intimate level. It’s become an occasion of true worship, with gratitude for all He has done to bring me to Himself, as well as means of spiritual warfare.
When we “eat this bread and drink the cup,” we proclaim the power of the Lord’s death to save. We proclaim it’s effectiveness to redeem us and reconcile us to God (Rom 5:10-11). Who do we proclaim it to? We proclaim it throughout the realm of His reign. To the angels who long to see and understand this mystery (1 Pet 1:12). To the demonic realm, whom Jesus disarmed and put to open shame, reminding them of their defeat (Col 2:15). To unbelievers, that they may know there is a Redeemer. And to ourselves, to remind us that He paid sin’s penalty for us, in our place. Oh, what power there is in the proclamation! We don’t have to be eloquent speakers. Each time we eat the bread and drink the cup, this grand and glorious truth reverberates throughout creation.
Questions for Reflection:
- What message do you think that Communion sends to the angels?
- What message do you think that it sends to the demonic realm?
Posted in O Glorious Proclamation