LS points back to perfect suffering, sacrifice of Christ Jesus for payment of all our sins.
Eat bread, drink wine in remembrance of him.
Sent by Father into world, assuming flesh, blood, bore wrath of God.
Especially when crucified at Golgotha, taking curse upon himself for our blessing.
Forsaken, so that we might nevermore be forsaken by him.
Thus, important intent of LS: remember work of Christ for us, so faith confirmed, strengthened.
A blessing to remember this fact of Christ’s saving work together.
Put aside our differences, humbly celebrate what we have in common.
Regarding sin, consequences, we are same, no one better than other.
Though differ in many ways, diverse gifts, various levels of doubt/ assurance, struggling with different weaknesses, regarding sin, all same.
LS teaches we all receive forgiveness, eternal life through Christ’s blood alone.
After Christ’s suffering/death, he arose from dead.
Further, ascended, seated at God’s right hand, poured out his Holy Spirit for spread of the gospel (considered last few weeks when commemorating Ascension Day and Pentecost Sunday).
Also these elements are symbolized, represented in LS celebration.
Also, in LS, God calls us to look to future together, to what Christ will still do for us.
Presently, the Jesus rules over all things for church.
He is Lord, and in the future we must serve him, our Master, seeking in all things to do his will through his Spirit.
Finally, from heaven, the Lord Jesus will come again to judge – some to life, some to death.
This we want to briefly focus on this morning.
The Lord Jesus Christ will come again.
He is the expected bridegroom, who will return to take his bride (elect) to himself forever.
Thus, commanded his believers to celebrate LS until he comes.
Great encouragement in this command, knowing will celebrate Christ’s love, forgiveness both now and forever in kingdom of Father!
Form teaches us about this future anticipation.
LS foretaste of abundant joy which Christ has promised.
Look forward to marriage feast of Lamb, when drink wine new w. us.
At institution, Jesus said, Mark 14:25, READ.
Drinking “fruit of the vine” (wine) in Passover meal made it feast, celebration.
In Passover, Israelites rejoiced being freed from slavery in Egypt.
Fruit of the vine grew abundantly in Canaan – a sign of freedom, prosperity under the blessing of the Lord.
Also in LS, wine, besides symbolizing Christ’s shed blood, points to the joy, celebration, blessing, freedom, unity we experience together in covenant b/c of Christ’s sacrifice.
Jesus announcement he will not drink of wine any longer means:
Must first fulfill task Father gave him to do: be Paschal Lamb, shed his blood through death on the cursed tree/cross.
But then, adds, will drink wine again in kingdom of Father, i.o.w. he will return.
New heaven, new earth that will come into existence at end of present age.
Will forever be in company/fellowship of the Lord, to praise him forevermore.
We too will be forever together in Christ’s love.
There were four different times in Passover meal participants drank wine.
Jesus participated with disciples in first three cups.
Fourth cup concluded Passover and emphasized fellowship.
Resembling eternal communion w. people; but not yet for Lord Jesus.
Only when work fulfilled, will Jesus drink last cup at messianic banquet.
When Christ returns, will finish meal: eat and drink in communion with all redeemed sinners in the Kingdom of God.
Revelation 19:7 calls it “the marriage of the Lamb.”
READ v 7.
In Jewish marriage, first the betrothal period, which takes place before wedding.
Engagement announced, which is beginning of legal marriage.
Bridal couple will still live separately, until dowry paid.
That means, no sexual relationship yet.
Only then, wedding day, bridegroom in procession with friends, brings bride from her parental home to his own home, where wedding feast is held.
In Christ, the bride/church, chosen from eternity.
Throughout entire OT dispensation, and especially when Son of God assumed our flesh/blood, wedding announced/betrothal took place.
Dowry paid on Calvary, bridegroom is coming at any moment.
After this interval, which in the eyes of God is but a short time, the Bridegroom will return and so has come “the marriage of the Lamb.”
We are yearning for that moment, when Christ returns.
Meanwhile, LS a foretaste of that abundant meal.
Receive a little sense of what that communion and joy will be, when we live in perfect communion with Christ, when we will receive new wedding garments, pure and white, without blemish.
LS fills us with thankfulness, joy and eager anticipation.
Meanwhile, as Christians, as church, as the bride of Christ, let us be busy working for and getting ready for the arrival of the bridegroom.
Let’s do everything for him, seeking to do his will alone.
Conclusion
Communion at LS not only representative of what Christ has done for us in his death on the cross.
Also encourages us to look forward to what is doing and still going to do, when he returns!
There are a glorious reunion and never-ending festivities awaiting us, in fellowship with our Saviour.
We long for time when victorious Lamb will be the Host, and we, his faithful guests, will feast with him! AMEN.
Revelation 19:7
Celebrate Until He Comes
Beloved Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ
LS points back to perfect suffering, sacrifice of Christ Jesus for payment of all our sins.
Eat bread, drink wine in remembrance of him.
Sent by Father into world, assuming flesh, blood, bore wrath of God.
Especially when crucified at Golgotha, taking curse upon himself for our blessing.
Forsaken, so that we might nevermore be forsaken by him.
Thus, important intent of LS: remember work of Christ for us, so faith confirmed, strengthened.
A blessing to remember this fact of Christ’s saving work together.
Put aside our differences, humbly celebrate what we have in common.
Regarding sin, consequences, we are same, no one better than other.
Though differ in many ways, diverse gifts, various levels of doubt/ assurance, struggling with different weaknesses, regarding sin, all same.
LS teaches we all receive forgiveness, eternal life through Christ’s blood alone.
After Christ’s suffering/death, he arose from dead.
Further, ascended, seated at God’s right hand, poured out his Holy Spirit for spread of the gospel (considered last few weeks when commemorating Ascension Day and Pentecost Sunday).
Also these elements are symbolized, represented in LS celebration.
Also, in LS, God calls us to look to future together, to what Christ will still do for us.
Presently, the Jesus rules over all things for church.
He is Lord, and in the future we must serve him, our Master, seeking in all things to do his will through his Spirit.
Finally, from heaven, the Lord Jesus will come again to judge – some to life, some to death.
This we want to briefly focus on this morning.
The Lord Jesus Christ will come again.
He is the expected bridegroom, who will return to take his bride (elect) to himself forever.
Thus, commanded his believers to celebrate LS until he comes.
Great encouragement in this command, knowing will celebrate Christ’s love, forgiveness both now and forever in kingdom of Father!
Form teaches us about this future anticipation.
LS foretaste of abundant joy which Christ has promised.
Look forward to marriage feast of Lamb, when drink wine new w. us.
At institution, Jesus said, Mark 14:25, READ.
Drinking “fruit of the vine” (wine) in Passover meal made it feast, celebration.
In Passover, Israelites rejoiced being freed from slavery in Egypt.
Fruit of the vine grew abundantly in Canaan – a sign of freedom, prosperity under the blessing of the Lord.
Also in LS, wine, besides symbolizing Christ’s shed blood, points to the joy, celebration, blessing, freedom, unity we experience together in covenant b/c of Christ’s sacrifice.
Jesus announcement he will not drink of wine any longer means:
Must first fulfill task Father gave him to do: be Paschal Lamb, shed his blood through death on the cursed tree/cross.
But then, adds, will drink wine again in kingdom of Father, i.o.w. he will return.
New heaven, new earth that will come into existence at end of present age.
Will forever be in company/fellowship of the Lord, to praise him forevermore.
We too will be forever together in Christ’s love.
There were four different times in Passover meal participants drank wine.
Jesus participated with disciples in first three cups.
Fourth cup concluded Passover and emphasized fellowship.
Resembling eternal communion w. people; but not yet for Lord Jesus.
Only when work fulfilled, will Jesus drink last cup at messianic banquet.
When Christ returns, will finish meal: eat and drink in communion with all redeemed sinners in the Kingdom of God.
Revelation 19:7 calls it “the marriage of the Lamb.”
READ v 7.
In Jewish marriage, first the betrothal period, which takes place before wedding.
Engagement announced, which is beginning of legal marriage.
Bridal couple will still live separately, until dowry paid.
That means, no sexual relationship yet.
Only then, wedding day, bridegroom in procession with friends, brings bride from her parental home to his own home, where wedding feast is held.
In Christ, the bride/church, chosen from eternity.
Throughout entire OT dispensation, and especially when Son of God assumed our flesh/blood, wedding announced/betrothal took place.
Dowry paid on Calvary, bridegroom is coming at any moment.
After this interval, which in the eyes of God is but a short time, the Bridegroom will return and so has come “the marriage of the Lamb.”
We are yearning for that moment, when Christ returns.
Meanwhile, LS a foretaste of that abundant meal.
Receive a little sense of what that communion and joy will be, when we live in perfect communion with Christ, when we will receive new wedding garments, pure and white, without blemish.
LS fills us with thankfulness, joy and eager anticipation.
Meanwhile, as Christians, as church, as the bride of Christ, let us be busy working for and getting ready for the arrival of the bridegroom.
Let’s do everything for him, seeking to do his will alone.
Conclusion
Communion at LS not only representative of what Christ has done for us in his death on the cross.
Also encourages us to look forward to what is doing and still going to do, when he returns!
There are a glorious reunion and never-ending festivities awaiting us, in fellowship with our Saviour.
We long for time when victorious Lamb will be the Host, and we, his faithful guests, will feast with him! AMEN.
