C025 6/5/55
© Project Winsome International, 1999
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A LOOK IN THE CUP - PART 1
Dr. John Allan Lavender
Luke 22:19b
In one of his later books, William Denney recalls a dream he could not forget.
It seems that in his dream he was celebrating holy communion at a kind of cosmopolitan
church. I call it that because, while it didn't particularly resemble any particular
church he had served, it was strangely akin to every church he had served.
As is often the case with dreams, the faces of the people were blurred and yet
he had a vague feeling he knew them all. When he stood behind the communion
table and looked into the cup, instead of the usual sacramental wine, he saw
tea.
He records his shock, and then goes on to tell how he asked a question in his
dream. Was the symbol of blood shed upon a cross too strong for these people?
Could they be more easily moved to sacrificial action and service by a cup of
tea?
As he awoke to face the morning, he did so with a fresh understanding of the
meaning of communion, and the deep demands the sacrifice of Christ imposed upon
him.
Today, I want to begin a series of communion meditations based upon the text:
"This do in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19b).
Because of time constraints, this morning we shall only be able to ask and give
a brief answer to the introductory question:
"Why celebrate the Lord's supper at all?"
On future communion Sundays we shall more adequately explore the rich mine of
truth which is this text.
"In remembrance of Me."
There are many reasons why Jesus might have requested his disciples to meet
together "in remembrance of (Him)". But the mere fact he made the request at
all was reason enough for Peter, James, and John to obey. And it's reason enough
for us as well.
You see, there is something special about the
dying wishes of someone we love. These requests have a sacredness about
them which leads us to bend every effort to see that they are fulfilled. Thus,
it is not hard to understand why Christians of every age and culture have tried
to follow His wish. There is something special about this "ceremony" which had
its beginning so long ago -- in an upper room -- when Jesus said to his disciples:
"This do in remembrance of Me."
In effect He was saying:
"Keep up this custom of 'breaking bread' together, which has come to mean so
much to us. Let this meal of fellowship we have shared tonight become a sacred
bond between you all and between you and me. And remember, while I will be unseen,
even so I will be with you always.
"As you meet together over the years ahead, let the meal mean even more to you
than it does now. Let it remind you of my body which will soon be broken for
you even as this bread is broken. Let the cup remind you of my life blood which
will soon be poured out for your redemption even as is this outpoured wine."
Certainly the fact that on the eve of His crucifixion, our Lord made this request
is ample reason for our meeting together this morning "in remembrance of (Him)."
But more than that, the communion service is a
link with the church of the past. How very little we know of that vast
company of the redeemed we call The Church Invisible. We only know it is made
up of all the saints of all the ages who have ever lived, worked, struggled
and worshiped here on earth.
As we look at our complex society and compare it with the world in which they
lived so long ago, it seems as if we will have little or nothing in common about
which to talk when we finally meet in heaven.
Even those who were here a generation or two ago would not be at home in our
streamlined jet-propelled age. The automobile was still in its infancy then.
The thought of flying across the United States in less than 5 hours would have
been mere fancy. Radio was still a thing of the future. Television was just
a dream in some engineer's mind. Unfortunately, that particular dream has become
a nightmare to many present-day parents. Or so it seem to some of us.
At any rate, I'm sure you get the point I'm trying to make. As we think of our
Christian brothers and sisters of other times and mores, it seems as though
we have little in common. But there is one great link which binds us inseparably
together: is our common Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are one in Him. He
is the level ground upon which we all stand together. He is the common denominator
which unites the cultured and the crude, the prince and the peasant, the pioneers
of 1492 and the people of 1955.
It is safe to say the greatest bridge across the chasm of time and clime is
the rite of communion. For in no other way can we so adequately express the
unity that links us together "in remembrance of (Him)".
And then may I suggest this final reason why Jesus may have requested that we
meet together in this way: He knew a
symbol can be more than a symbol. It can not only be used to represent
something, it can actually increase that which it represents. Let me show you
what I mean.
We give a gift. Perhaps it's for a birthday, anniversary or wedding. That gift
not only represents the love we have for the person to whom we give it, it actually
increases that love. In many cases, it prevents that love from dying from want
of expression.
The mere fact we take the time to think about the needs of a friend or family
member in and of itself is a stimulus to love. We can't think about her or him
without being reminded of what that person has come to mean to us. It is in
those thoughtful moments that our love for that friend or family member is rekindled
and deepened.
Even so with our dear Lord. So often we become so busy with the doing of things
we fail to take time to simply worship Him. To love Him. To cherish Him. And
yes, enjoy Him. We get caught in the tentacles of a feverish activity, and sometimes
we find the flame of our love for Him has burned low on the alter of our heart.
It is then, in an hour such as this when we gather around this sacred meal,
that the devotion we really feel is expressed and, by that expression, is brought
to life again. The spark of our love for Christ is fanned into a brighter flame
and, in its warmth, we are reminded of how very special is our relationship
with Him. We are taken back to Him. To the broken body on the cross. To the
mighty soul agonizing over the sins of people. To the blood shed for the redemption
of many. To the meal of fellowship when Christ drew His disciples to Him with
bonds of love.
We are reminded of our first allegiance, and encouraged to renew our vows. For
it is then, when we meet to worship like this, that we feel again the glory
and the power of His presence, and we rejoice that, in His infinite wisdom,
He made one last request:"This do in remembrance of Me."
"Our Lord, our life, our rest, our shield,
Our rock, our food, our light.
Each though of Thee doth constant yield
Unchanging fresh delight."
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