THE LORD’S SUPPER:

Do This in Remembrance of Me

1.          Matt. 26:17-29 - Passover near (a memorial of deliverance).

Now on the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, "Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?"  And He said, "Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples."'"  So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. Now as they were eating, He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me."  And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, "Lord, is it I?"  He answered and said, "He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me.  The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born."  Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, "Rabbi, is it I?" He said to him, "You have said it."  And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body."  Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.  For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.  But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."   And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

2. Events are bringing Jesus ever closer to His death (Mk. 10:32-34).

Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him: "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles;  and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again."

3.     In upper room they observed Passover & Jesus instituted LS.

a.     Lesson on humility (Jno. 13:3-17)

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him,"Lord, are You washing my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this."  Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me."  Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!"  Jesus said to him, "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you."  For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, "You are not all clean."  So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?  You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.  For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.  Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.  If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.  "I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, 'He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.'   Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He.

    b.     Announced betrayal, identified betrayer, Judas left (26:20-25; Jno. 13:30). John 13:21-30

When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me."  Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke.  Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke.  Then, leaning back on Jesus' breast, he said to Him, "Lord, who is it?"  Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it." And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly."  But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, "Buy those things we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor. 

    c.     Judas left (Jno. 13:30).  Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.

d.          Jesus instituted the Supper (Matt. 26:26-29).

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body."  Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.  For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.  But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." 

e.     Gethsemane (sang, prayed, arrested & abandoned, Matt 26:34-56

Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."  Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" And so said all the disciples.  Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go and pray over there."  And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me."  He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."  Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?  Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."  Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done."  And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.  So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then He came to His disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.  Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand." And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people.  Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him." Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.  But Jesus said to him, "Friend, why have you come?"  Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.  But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.  Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?  How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?" In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me.  But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

    f.      Trials (Jewish & Roman), scourged, mocked, crucified Matt 27:26-31

Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.  Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.  

g.          1st day of week He arose (Matt. 28:1, 5-6).

Matt 28:1  Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.

Matt 28:5-6  But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

4.     Today is first day of week - We remember His death (Acts 20:7).

5.     1 Cor. 11:23-34 - Proper remembrance of Christ’s death. 1 Cor 11:23-26

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said,  "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me."  In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."  For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.

    a.     Proper remembering is difficult at times (distractions).

    b.     This jeopardizes our spiritual health!  (11:27-30)

Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.

6.     People, things & words at the cross help us examine ourselves & partake of the Lord's Supper in a worthy manner.

 I. SEVEN AIDS TO REMEMBRANCE.

    A.    There is One Lord.

        1.     Constantly visualize scenes of Calvary - John 19:17-19

And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

        2.     “King of the Jews” - King of all men! Ps 2:6-7

Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion."    "I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You

Acts 2:36      Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

3.     There is only ONE Lord - 1 Cor. 8:4-6.

Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. 

            a.     All authority, facilitator & sustainer (8:6).   See above

            b.     Only Head of church - We are subject to Him in all things.

    B.        There Were Two Thieves -  (Isa. 53:12).

Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.

1.          “I find no crime in him” (3 times) – 1 Pet. 2:22.    Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";

        2.     Robbers (sinners) - Guilty/condemned (Lk. 23:41). Luke 23:41

And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."

        3.     Remember:  ONE in center - Loved & respected law, was innocent, dying for sins of others!

    C.    There Were Three Crosses:

1.          One is a cross of rebellion - Lk. 23:39.

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."

        2.     One is a cross of repentance - Lk. 23:40-43.

But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." 

        3.     One is a cross of redemption – 1 Pet. 2:24.  who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness — by whose stripes you were healed

 (Ransom price paid to release man from sin – 1 Tim. 2:6;   who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,

1 Pet. 1:18-19    knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

     D.    Four Soldiers Divided His Garments into Four Parts - Jno. 19:23-24.

        -Common to do so.  Did soldiers sense the extraordinary circumstance of this crucifixion?  Mementos, or just greed?  Regardless, FOUR parts....(gambled for coat).

    E.        There Were Five Wounds.

        1.     Fixation of limbs with iron nails (spikes).

        2.     Usually done lying on ground, then raised & dropped into hole.  Agony, horror, suffering.

        3.     Jno. 19:32-37 - Already dead when side pierced.

Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, "Not one of His bones shall be broken."   And again another Scripture says, "They shall look on Him whom they pierced."  

        4.     - Thomas told to inspect these wounds. John 20:27-28

Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing."  And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"

    F.     There Were Six Horrible Hours - Mk. 15:25,   Tell about the cross, how it was done

Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him      Mark 15:33-37

 Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"   Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, "Look, He is calling for Elijah!" Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, "Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down."  And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.

        1.     Crucifixion lasted 6 hrs. (9:00 am – 3:00 pm); Darkness last 3 hrs.

        2.     Darkness:  cf. Eclipse of few minutes amazing – Utter darkness for 3 hours would be unforgettable!  Miracle!

        3.     Symbolic of God’s judgment & wrath against our sins.

    G.    There Were Seven Sayings by Jesus on the Cross:

        1.     A prayer of forgiveness - Lk. 23:34.  Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."

        2.     A promise of salvation - Lk. 23:43.  And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." 

3.     A show of compassion - Jno. 19:26-27.  When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!"   Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. 

4.     An expression of human suffering - Jno. 19:28.   After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!"

5.          A cry of loneliness - Matt. 27:46.   And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?  God had no choice, he had to turn his back on sin, and Jesus had all our sins

6.     A proclamation of victory - Jno. 19:30.  So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

7.     A declaration of ultimate trust - Lk. 23:46.  And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.'" Having said this, He breathed His last.

1.     1 Cor. 11:24-25 – Eat & drink “in remembrance of Me.”

and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said,  "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me."  In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."

2.     In the Lord’s Supper we proclaim the Lord’s death. 1 Cor 11:26       For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.

3.     At the death of Jesus:  ONE Lord, TWO thieves, THREE crosses, FOUR garments/soldiers, FIVE wounds, SIX horrible hours, SEVEN sayings of Christ.

4.     Let us forever examine ourselves as we partake so that we partake in a worthy manner 1 Cor 11:27-     Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.