Sermon #157 Luke Sermons
Title: “In Remembrance of Me”
Text: Luke 22:14-20
Subject: The Lord’s Supper
Date: Sunday Evening — September 18, 2005
Tape # Y-77a
Readings: Lindsay Campbell and James Jordan
Introduction:
(Luke 22:14-20) “And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. (15) And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: (16) For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. (17) And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: (18) For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. (19) And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. (20) Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.”
In these verses the Holy Spirit describes how our blessed Savior instituted as a perpetual ordinance in his church the observance of the Lord’s supper. This is one of those passages of Holy Scripture that that ought to immediately arouse deep reverence in our hearts.
I find it utterly astonishing that this blessed ordinance of divine worship, so beautifully simple and majestic, so delightfully unifying and blessed, has been made a matter of fear and a point of controversy and division throughout the history of the church. How dishonoring that is to our Savior by whom the ordinance was established and for whose honor it is to be kept! Tonight, I want us to look at these verses line by line, asking God the Holy Spirit to be our Teacher, praying that he may write the lessons here taught upon our hearts.
No Fencing
First, we are specifically told that Judas was with the disciples when the Lord Jesus established this ordinance in his church.
(Luke 22:14) “And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.”
After making his bargain with the chief priests, Scribes, and elders, to betray the Son of God, Judas brazenly came and took his place with the rest of the apostles, both to cover his sin, and to watch the best opportunity of betraying the Master.
That fact makes it abundantly clear that our Lord did not fence the Table to keep unbelievers from eating the bread and wine with believers. He did not give any basis for the practice of closed communion.
Let me be clearly understood. The Lord’s Supper, like baptism and church membership is for believers only. We must never encourage unbelievers to join us in observing this blessed ordinance of the gospel. Yet, we must never attempt to set barriers around the table to keep anyone away. The Holy Spirit makes it crystal clear that it is the responsibility of the person who eats the bread and drinks the wine to examine himself, to be certain that he or she is a believer, one who discerns the Lord’s body, warning all that those who eat and drink unworthily, without faith in Christ, eat and drink damnation to themselves (1 Cor. 11:27-30).
You, and you alone, can determine whether you are in the faith. If you profess faith in Christ, it is my responsibility and the responsibility of this church body to look upon your profession as genuine and to receive you “without doubtful disputations,” without suspicion (Rom. 14:1).
Our Lord knew that Judas was a devil and that he was, at that time, looking for an opportunity to betray him. Yet, when he passed out the bread and wine, he gave it to Judas as well as to James and John, because Judas professed to be one of his.
Christ’s Desire
In verse 15, our Savior expressed his heart’s ambition and desire to redeem us.
(Luke 22:15) “And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer.”
He desired to eat this, the last passover, with his disciples because, in doing so, he had come to the end of his mission in this world. He was about to suffer all the fury of God’s holy wrath and offended justice as our Substitute and enter into his glory. Before doing so, he established this communion ordinance as a perpetual reminder to us that our union and communion with him is based upon and arises from his sin-atoning death upon the cursed tree.
He desired to eat it with them, with his disciples, because his desire is toward us his people (2 pet. 3:9).
· It was so from everlasting, when he desired us as his spouse and bride. It was so in time, when he became incarnate, suffered, died, and gave himself for us.
· His desire is towards his people before they are called, while unregenerate, unbelieving rebels.
· His desire is with us and toward us still, notwithstanding all sin and unbelief (Song 5:1-2).
In ourselves we are black with sin; but in him we are comely and beautiful, robed with his righteousness, washed, pure, and made white in his precious blood, so comely and beautiful in his eyes, that he declares he is ravished by us! Imagine that! The Son of God declares that we ravish his heart (Song 4:9). Therefore, he desires our company and communion always!
The Lord Jesus delighted in us from eternity, viewing us as perfect in himself before the world was made. We are the joy set before him, the joy that sustained him and carried him through his sufferings and death. You and I, my brother, my sister, are the objects of his unceasing desires and prayers!
Our blessed Savior desired with desire to this, the last, passover, because that meant that his sufferings and death were at hand, that the eternal redemption of our souls was about to be accomplished.
· Justice would soon be satisfied.
· The law would soon be fulfilled. Our sins would soon be atoned for and put away.
· The Father would soon be glorified by his obedience unto death.
(Romans 5:6-8) “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (7) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. (8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
(1 John 3:16) “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
(1 John 4:9-10) “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. (10) Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
Until it be Fulfilled
(Luke 22:16) “For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
The law, once it was fulfilled by him, was about to end. The passover and all the ceremonies and rituals of the law were about to be abolished forever. Therefore, he said, “I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Now that it has all been fulfilled by him, our blessed Savior girds himself with grace and serves us all that was signified and typified in the law. And, in the glory that soon shall be ours, we will eat and drink together with him in his Father’s kingdom, and spend an endless eternity in never fading joys and pleasures, singing the song of Moses and the Lamb.
(Exodus 15:1-13) “Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. (2) The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. (3) The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. (4) Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. (5) The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. (6) Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. (7) And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. (8) And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. (9) The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. (10) Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. (11) Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? (12) Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. (13) Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.”
(Exodus 15:18) “The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.”
Verses 17-18
(Luke 22:17-18) “And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: (18) For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.”
In the observance of the Jewish passover, four cups were used. Commonly, as each cup was passed around the table, one by one, the head of the house would lead the family in prayer and thanksgiving. Then the family would drink from the cups, divided among them.
Having done this, the Lord Jesus said, “For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of this vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.” What was our Lord referring to here?
· Perhaps he was simply saying, “I about to leave this world, and will never again eat and drink with you physically.”
· Perhaps he was talking about the new wine of grace that was to be poured out by him in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.
· Most likely, I think, he was referring to the everlasting celebration of redemption with us in eternal glory, when we shall eat and drink at his table forever, as he tells us in verse 30.
The Ordinance Established
In verses 14-18 we are given a record of the Lord Jesus observing the last passover feast with his family, with his disciples. In verses 19 and 20, the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper is established.
(Luke 22:19-20) “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. (20) Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.”
We know that these words refer to the establishing of the Lord’s Supper because the Holy Spirit tells us that in 1 Corinthians 11:23-29.
(1 Corinthians 11:23-29) “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: (24) And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. (25) After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. (26) For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come. (27) Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. (28) But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. (29) For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”
Read the last line of verse 19 again. — “This do in remembrance of me.” How many times have we read this command, without pausing to consider its implications.
· The first implication of this command is that this ordinance, as I stated in the beginning, is for believers only. In order to remember Christ you must first know him. I hope that you do know the Savior. If you do, this table is spread for you. But if you do not know him, you must not eat the bread and drink the wine.
· Second, this command reveals the love of Christ for us. Our Savior would not care for us to remember him, if he did not love us. Love wants to be remembered. And our Lord Jesus, as he was leaving this world, whispered into the ear of his bride, “Remember me.”
· And, third, this command implies a horrible tendency in us to forget our Redeemer. Because our Lord remembers that we are dust, he graciously established this ordinance that we might, in observing it, remember him.
We have gathered here again tonight, as we do every Sunday night, to observe the Lord’s Supper, according to his commandment. This table is our Lord’s memorial. As we eat the bread and drink the wine, I pray that God the Holy Spirit will graciously enable us to remember Christ, our Beloved.
In these two verses of Scripture we have complete directions for observing the Lord’s Supper. Here we see what it is and how it is to be done. The directions are plain, clear, and definite. We must “this do.”
· It would not be right to do something else.
· It would not be right to do this for some other purpose.
· And it would not be right to do this in some other way.
Proposition: We, as a gathered assembly of believers, eat the bread and drink the wine on this table in loving memory of our blessed Redeemer.
Simplicity
I. First, I cannot avoid calling your attention to the simplicity of this blessed ordinance.
There is nothing here that is ornate, mysterious, or even visibly impressive. The ordinances of the gospel are simple, like Christ himself, transparent, and unpretentious. There is nothing here but bread and wine.
A. It is an ordinance to be frequently observed.
Paul said, “As often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death ‘til he come.” Because we have a constant need to be reminded of our Lord and his work of redemption, he has given us an ordinance to frequently aid our memory.
B. This is an ordinance to be observed by all the Lord’s people.
Around this table, as in the kingdom of God, we are all equal.
· Our needs are the same.
· Our grounds of acceptance are the same.
· Our acceptance with God is the same.
C. This ordinance is a token of God’s everlasting covenant of grace.
Every time we eat this bread and drink this wine, we should be reminded of that covenant God made with his Son on our behalf before the worlds were made.
· It is a covenant of grace.
· It is ordered in all things and sure.
· It is a covenant ratified by the blood of Christ.
D. This blessed ordinance is a picture sermon of our Redeemer’s death. — We remember Christ best when we remember his death.
· The bread is the symbol of his body – His righteousness.
· The wine represents his blood – His redemption.
E. And our observance of this ordinance is a picture of our salvation by faith in Christ (John 6:51-56).
To trust Christ is to receive him, to eat his flesh and drink his blood.
(John 6:51-56) “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. (52) The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? (53) Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. (54) Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (55) For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. (56) He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.”
“This Do”
II. The ordinance is most inviting, too.
We are commanded to keep this ordinance. Our Savior said, “This do.” Therefore, we may reasonably and safely infer that it is always proper for us do it. It is always proper for God’s people to observe the Lord’s Supper, to keep the ordinance, and never proper not to do it.
· We may eat the Lord’s Supper, though we often sadly forget him. In fact, our forgetfulness is a reason to come to this ordinance.
· We may come to the table, though others forget our Savior. We come not to judge others, but to remember Christ. And if some of our brethren are out of sorts, that does not bar us from the privilege of this ordinance.
· We may come to this ordinance, no matter how weak, cold, and sinful we are. — Our worthiness is Christ. — We come here to remember his goodness and grace.
· It will be sweet, refreshing and comforting to you to eat the Lord’s Table. — What can be sweeter than the remembrance of Christ?— What can be more refreshing to your soul? — What can be so comforting to your heart?
“In Remembrance”
III. The object of this ordinance is that we may remember our dear Savior. — “This do in remembrance of me.”
We are to observe this ordinance in remembrance of Christ himself, not his doctrines, but himself, not his precepts, but himself. As we eat this bread and drink this wine, I want us to remember the Lord Jesus. Remember Him…
· As the only Object of your faith.
· As the mighty Representative of our soul. – Past, Present, and Future.
· As the Joy of your heart.
· As the Rewarder of you hope.
· As the Lord of you life.
Lessons
Let me remind you of four things clearly set before us in this passage.
1. The purpose of the Lord’s Supper is to perpetually remind us Christ’s death for us, to remind us of the cost of our redemption.
· The bread represents his body, his holy humanity sacrificed for us.
· The wine represents his precious, sin-atoning blood.
2. This is not an optional ordinance, any more than baptism is an optional ordinance. It is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to observe the Lord’s Supper, in remembrance of Christ.
3. There will always be betrayers in our midst.
The words of verses 21 and 22 are recorded here so plainly that it is obvious that the Holy Spirit intended for us to be reminded that tares always grow side by side with wheat. Our Savior said…
(Luke 22:21-22) “But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. (22) And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!”
· We are never justified in separating ourselves from God’s church and people because some among us are devils.
· We are never justified in refusing to observe the Lord’s Supper because we imagine that some at the table might be unbelievers.
4. It is your own responsibility, and no one else’s, to examine yourself.
(1 Corinthians 11:23-29) “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: (24) And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. (25) After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. (26) For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come. (27) Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. (28) But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. (29) For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”
Application
Now, as we eat this bread and drink this wine, think only of Christ. — Not the cares of the world. — Not your own corruption. — Not one another! — Not even your many responsibilities. — Spirit of God help me now to remember my Savior.
· His glorious Person.
· His great propitiation.
· His gracious promises.
Now, O ever-glorious Son of God, we approach your table to feast on your grace, enable each of us, by your Spirit, to…
“Remember Thee, and all Thy pains,
And all Thy love to me—
Yes, while a pulse or breath remains,
I will remember Thee.
And when these failing lips grow dumb,
And thought and memory flee;
When Thou shalt in thy kingdom come,
Jesus, remember me!”
Amen.