IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME
‘This do in remembrance of Me.’
We may, perhaps, obtain clear views of the nature of this central rite of the Christian Church if we regard it from four standpoints. Let us look upon it as—
I. An act of obedience.
II. A feast of thanksgiving.
III. A service of allegiance.
IV. A season of refreshment.
Illustration
‘ “How often should we come to the Lord’s Table?” The Bible lays down no rule upon this point, and our Prayer Book only mentions “three times a year, of which Easter shall be one,” as a minimum. The service is one of free, spontaneous gratitude and love. The moment we begin to ask “How often?” we begin to forget its essential character. We then seek to impose hard and fast rules which tend to rob it of the spontaneity of love which should be its chief characteristic. But let us remember one thing: just in proportion as our hearts are set upon Christ and our lives are surrendered to Him, just in proportion as He occupies the centre of our affections, so shall we welcome with joy the opportunities of being the King’s guests at the King’s Table. The invitation, “Draw near with faith,” will never find us ready “to make excuse.” Our love for Him will be an elastic cord stretched between us, drawing us near to our Lord by its own tension.’
(SECOND OUTLINE)
THE COMMUNION FEAST
The Blessed Sacrament is love’s memorial.
I. It is a Communion.—It is an occasion for praising God for dear ones gone before, on whom the light perpetual shines. In some human faces we have seen the reflection of the Divine: we have seen the face of God. And these faces come back to us in a fair vision at Communion times, when we bless God’s holy Name ‘for all His servants departed this life in His faith and fear.’
II. The Holy Supper speaks of Christ dying.—‘As oft as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death’ (1 Corinthians 11:26). It points back to that ‘meritorious Cross and Passion whereby alone we obtain remission of our sins.’ It brings afresh to our minds the Divinest scene in the Divinest Life.
III. The Holy Supper speaks of Christ’s coming.—The table is to be spread ‘till He come,’ and then there will be ‘one flock and one Shepherd.’ So Christ promised (John 10:16). So Christ prayed (John 17:21). So Christ purposed, for to that end He died (John 11:52).
The Holy Supper is a connecting link between the first and Second Coming of Christ: like a rainbow having one end on Ascension Day and the other stretched out to the Second Advent.
Rev. F. Harper.
Illustrations
(1) ‘ “My poor Romola,” mourned her father Bernardo, “I have only to die, but thou hast to live, and I shall not be there to help thee.” “Yes,” replied Romola, “you will help me—always—because I shall remember you.” ’
(2) ‘Long ago in the Teaching of the Apostles they prayed: “As this broken bread was once scattered in grains upon the mountains, and, being gathered together, became one, so let Thy Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Thy Kingdom.” ’