Introduction

When we come to the Lord's Table, it we should be obvious that this is something that we do; namely, come, take and eat. We come to remember the risen Lord Jesus through a simple ritual. It is a ritual that He has ordained. He commands us to remember, which casts a net over our proneness to wander from the God we love and pulls us from marginal Christian living back to the center. We find the center by focusing on the Lord Jesus. These are things we do, but there is more. Not only do we act and speak, but God acts and speaks at this table.

Our remembering and His speaking converge. We find the center by focusing on the Lord Jesus. How we do this signals the action of God in the sacrament. We remember along the lines of God's reminding. God is speaking through a visual aid. The meal expresses the gospel-good-news. God gives us His word and then He adds the sign as an additional word to sharpen our hearing that we may receive the full benefit of the gospel.

Furthermore, our risen Savior is present with us in a distinct way when we come to His table (the Lord's table, 1 Cor. 10:21). By the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit, the Lord not only repeats the gospel in visual form but He also seals the good news home to our hearts. The signs of the covenant are also seals that confirm that we in fact have the King's promise. The example of circumcision cited by Paul in Romans 4:11 shows us that signs are also seals. God has given us His word in the sixty-six books of the Bible. In the sign, He in effect doubly assures us that we have His promise of our blessing in Christ (His promise of good will toward us in Christ). He uses this simple ritual to nourish us spiritually.

Therefore, Iit is important then that we come to the table. It is a matter of obedience to His command and it is the way of His blessing on our pilgrimage.

Today I want us to remember our Lord from the perspective of Luke's account of the institution of the table. There are two significant details of timing. Jesus instituted this simple table meal a) in the night in which He was betrayed and b) during the Passover feast. Last time we had communion we emphasized the first detail; this morning we will emphasize the second.

That Jesus gave us the command to observe communion during the Passover feast is highlighted by Luke (22:1-15, especially vs. 1, 8, 11, 13, 15). Matthew and Mark both state that it was "while they were eating" the Passover meal (Matt. 26:26; Mk. 14:22) that Jesus took bread and took the cup and instituted communion observance.

Here in Luke's account we have a threefold reminder of the gospel that is signified and sealed by this ordinance. Let's consider each of them to hear the voice of God in the sign before we give our voice in response.

1A. Communion is a reminder of Passover mercy

We have to begin with the Passover and with the fact that it was a meal of mercy. Consider Exodus 12:1-20; 21-31 (12:1-20, God's command and instruction regarding Passover; 12:21-31, Israel's obedience and deliverance in the Passover). A lamb was slain and its blood placed on the sides and tops of the doorframes (6-7). It was to be eaten with cloak tucked into the belt, sandals on the feet and staff in hand (11, to depart from bondage into freedom). That night God would pass through the land in judgment but pass over the houses covered by the blood of the lamb. This meal was to be a commemoration and celebration of "the Lord's Passover" (11) for generations to come (14).

We are reminded of the severity of the Lord in judgment. Death is the consequence of sin. The finality of physical death lunges forward as a token of eternal punishment that we all merit by our sins. God's wrath burns and boils against sin and sinners. He is angry with the wicked every day; they store up wrath against the day of wrath. The Passover reminds us of death and final judgment.

But Passover was also a meal of mercy. The death angel passed over those covered by the blood of the lamb (Ex. 12:23). The lamb was both nourishment and protection from the wrath of God.

Now the Lord's Passover has been transitioned into the Lord's table; Passover has become the Christian Passover, a perpetuated meal of mercy and protection. Here the Father tells us that we have safety and protection from His wrath in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of Lambs-the ultimate Passover lamb and sacrificial meal. The awful pain of those judged in Egypt tells us that the only way that sin can be dealt with and the wrath of God satisfied is by the death of the firstborn. Jesus is the firstborn of all creation, the only begotten Son (i.e., specially beloved as Isaac was specially beloved by Abraham), the greater Isaac on the altar who is not spared so that we may be spared (a lamb was substituted for Isaac, but there is no lamb for Jesus; He is both sacrificed lamb and firstborn/beloved son).

2A. Communion is a reminder of Passover love

Luke 22:14-15 records a remarkable point in time, a unique and special hour (14) in which the love of Christ is expressed in a brief but powerful way (15). Every phrase of verse 15 has the sweetness of honey overflowing and dripping from a saturated honeycomb.

1) "I have eagerly desired"

These are very strong words. It is like saying I lust for this meal without any negative connotation to the notion of lust. It refers very strong passion and desire. The love of the Lord Jesus is expressed here. It is a radical or deep-rooted love.

2) "This Passover"

Jesus has celebrated other Passovers during His lifetime. But this one is distinct. Passover has been commemorated for roughly 1500 years by the time of "this Passover." Now it is going to be changed. Now what was promised is fulfilled: the Passover lamb of Passover lambs has come. The work of redeeming God's people is now ready to be finalized. This is a special Passover as well because this is the Passover of transition into the Christian era.

Jesus is saying that this is what I have long anticipated: being the Lamb of mercy and protection.

3) "with you"

"You" refers of course to the disciples. But through the transition of this meal into the Lord's table "you" includes you and me here today. That unique Passover instituted this reoccurring communion meal. As He loved being present with His disciples there and then, so He loves being present with us here and now.

4) "before I suffer"

If you knew you were about to die and that it would be through great suffering, how would you respond? Some people withdraw and are crushed by such news. Others fight back, say, to eliminate cancer in our lifetime. Jesus did neither. He did not succumb to the crushing news that unparalleled suffering awaited Him at the next turn in the road. Nor did He fight to overcome drinking the bitter dregs of the cup of God's fearful wrath. What did He focus on instead? Knowing He is about to suffer, He sets His heart on His disciples, on you and me.

What a thought: Jesus eagerly longs to celebrate the Christian Passover with you and me because we were on His heart when His suffering became imminent. He was thinking about His disciples, the church they represent, you and me.

You are loved. You were in His heart and on His mind in the dawning hours of His suffering on the cross. What can we say? Only: "Amazing love that Thou my God shouldst die for me" and "You, O, Lord are the Passover Lamb and Meal par excellence."

3A. Communion is a reminder of Passover fulfillment

He says, "For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God" (16). How can Passover be done away and yet eaten again? It is done away by being changed into the Christian Passover meal. It will continue until the consummation. The kingdom is now and not yet; salvation is begun and remains to be completed. Here He promises to one day be with you in the consummation of the kingdom (Matt. 26:29). He promises to nourish you all the way to glory so that, remarkably, His love for you will be fulfilled!

Summary. These three things are pointedly signified and sealed in the communion rite. It is God's word repeated and reiterated. It is a word of mercy, love, and determined purpose.

The point is that you not rest in yourself but more and more in the promises and power of God; that all contradiction may be countered and that you may firmly believe that you belong to that covenant that stands as a rock.

Hearing the voice of God, we are reminded of our loving Lord who gave Himself for us as our Passover Lamb and Meal. With undying love, He will nourish us all the way to glory.

We must therefore respond. We do so in heart and mind and we picture our response in the taking of the bread and wine. We say three basic things in symbol and ought to be saying them from deep within our hearts. 1) First, I need the body and blood of Christ; I need the Lord Jesus (I am unworthy but worthy is the Lamb that was slain). It's a prayer: "O Lord Jesus, I need you." 2) Second, I own Him as my very own as I take this bread and wine to my lips and pallet (He is mine, loving me, seeking me, finding me, keeping me, He is mine). I own Him as my prophet, priest and king; I thus dedicate myself to serve Him in everything I do, to learn from Him under His law and authority, and to cling to Him as my mediator. This is also ultimately a prayer: "O Lord Jesus, I cling to you, I own you as my very own. 3) Third, I own His people as my people, His family as my family. There is only one loaf so we being many are one body. We must ask, "how can I serve your lambs and sheep?" "How can I promote their good?" "How can I promote their spiritual well-being?" Owning Christ and His people means we ask these questions and continually work at finding ways to answer them. This is because of our respect for Christ. In devotion to Him we must love one another. It is a prayer too: "O Lord Jesus, I own your people as my family."

Let us so take and eat

Acknowledge your need as you take the bread.

Thank Him for His abundant provision as you take the wine.

Pour out your soul to Him as an offering in remembrance that He offered Himself up to bitter betrayal for you.