In Remembrance of Me

“Eat this bread and drink this cup.” 1 Corinthians 11:26

All who desire an increase of the grace of God are to wait for it, thirdly, in partaking of the Lord’s Supper, for this also is a direction the Lord Himself gave. “The same night which He was Betrayed (He) took bread; and…broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body’ [that is, the sacred sign of my body]…’do this 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” again (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). By these visible signs, we openly exhibit before God, angels, and our fellow creatures our solemn remembrance of His death till he returns in the clouds of heaven.

The direction for His remembrance first given by our Lord is expressly repeated by the apostle. “Let him eat, let him drink”—both in the form of command. These words do not imply a bare permission only, but a clear, explicit command. It is a command to all those who already are filled with peace and joy in believing. It is likewise for those who can truly say, “The remembrance of our sins is grievous unto us, the burden of them is intolerable.” All these persons may find a sweet means of grace in eating and drinking at the table of our Lord.