The Lord's Supper: A Remembrance

The Bible tells us that the Lord's Supper is a remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ. Remembrance is starting to lose its meaning in our modern world. When someone goes away for a long time in a long distance journey, for example, we can always get in touch with them through the internet. With social media, we are always connected. But maybe because it is not hard to remember any more, it is actually easier to forget.

In the past, remembrance was a bigger thing. The Cebuano word for remembrance is handumanan. When I was younger, I remember there was a popular drama show over the radio called "Handumanan sa Usa Ka Awit" - remembrance of a song. The show dramatized stories from letter senders and would end with a song that would remind them of a loved one or a friend.

In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, the apostle Paul tells us that Jesus gave us a remembrance - or  a “handumanan” -  of another kind:

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Jesus did not want to be remembered in the form of a song, or a dance, or a picture. He chose - by His divine wisdom - to leave with us a remembrance of a meal - "Handumanan sa Usa Ka Panihapon" if you will.

A meal is an excellent way to remember. The first Lord's Supper was a Passover meal. Imagine what it would have been like for the disciples to be there.

They would have remembered the feel of the table and the utensils. They would have remembered the delicious smell and taste of food on the table - bitter herbs, roasted lamb, wine, maybe some sweets. They would have remembered how Jesus took the bread - very likely matzo, the Jewish unleavened bread.

When Jesus said this was his body, they would have remembered how the matzo looked pierced and scarred as did Jesus' own body was in the events that followed. There is much singing during the Passover meal. And they would have remembered the hymns they had sung together. These songs could still have been in their ears as they walked quietly with Jesus after that meal, towards the Mount of Olives.

Long after Jesus died on the cross, buried and raised again, it would have been very difficult to forget Him every time the disciples came together and shared a meal. It's as if Jesus was making sure that when they remember Him, they remember Him together.

It is this idea of coming together that is at the heart of the remembrance of the Lord's Supper. In fact, a few verses back, Paul writes the purpose of why he wrote to the Corinthians about the correct observance of the Lord's Supper. Verses 20-21 says:

20 So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, 21 for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk.

Paul was very concerned that the Corinthians were losing the meaning of the remembrance. It was not enough that eating was observed. Equally important was that it be done together, with high regard to each other: no one having more, no one having less. A picture of a family of believers celebrating Jesus together.

Paul felt very strongly about this, so he continues his letter in verses 27-34:

27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.

33 So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. 34 Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.

This morning, as we come together and partake the Lord's Supper. Let us first heed the warning of Paul. Let us examine ourselves. Let us come to the Lord and be reconciled with Him. Let us allow Him to bring to light any sins we harbor in our heart that may get in the way of making this remembrance even more meaningful. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the things that are getting in between us and our loved ones, friends and fellow believers, that is hindering us from remembering Jesus together.

Let us spend a few minutes of quiet reflection.

If you are joining us for the first time or unsure of what we are doing, you may prefer not to partake of the Lord's Supper. For those that do, you would have been handed the bread and juice as you came in. In case you don't have them, please raise your hands, and keep them hands raised so our ushers can go to you and give you the communion elements.

Let us pray for the bread. Lord Jesus, we thank you for your sacrifice on the cross. As you have instructed us on the night you were betrayed, Lord, we remember you together through this communion. We remember the ultimate sacrifice that you had to make to pave the way for sinners like us to have a lasting relationship with God. Today we give you all the honor you deserve as we partake of the bread, a symbol of your body broken for us. In your name we pray, Amen.

Let us partake of the bread together.

You know I mentioned that the Cebuano word for remembrance is handumanan. Deep within the word handumanan is another word "handum". Handum is an expression of hoping, of longing, of eagerly expecting a time of reuniting with the longed for - ang gihinumdom. My friends, let us not forget easily. May our remembrance spur us on to long for Jesus' coming. May it be the desire of our hearts.

Let us pray for the cup. Lord Jesus, we take this cup as a symbol of your blood that cleanses us from all sin. And even as we remember your death, your burial and your joyful resurrection, Lord, we are ever hopeful for the time when we shall be together again. Come Lord Jesus, in your name we pray. Amen.

Let us partake of the juice together.

Let us pray. Lord Jesus, we thank you for this moment of remembering you and looking forward to your coming. We thank you especially that we get to remember you with each other. Please bless the rest of our time in this service. In your name we pray. Amen.

Wasn’t that such a sweet, blessed time? Why don’t you smile to your seatmates and tell them, it was a joy remembering Jesus with you.

The ushers will be going around to collect the wrappers. Let us now join CCF Main via livestream.

God bless you!