TEXT: Luke 22:19

SUBJECT: What is the Lord's Supper?

If you read the New Testament, you'll see that it is several things. It is a way of communing with Jesus Christ. It is a way of fellowshipping with His Church. It is a way of declaring His Gospel. It is a way of looking forward to His Second Coming.

All of these things are important, of course, but they're also secondary to it's chief meaning. Whatever else the Lord's Supper is, it is mostly a way of remembering Jesus Christ. He said so Himself; Paul said the same.

What about Him are we to remember at the Lord's Table? The best answer--I suppose--is everything! But mostly, we're to remember His death.

This, in itself, is an immensely complicated subject. But what I want to fix your mind on today is how willing it was. Jesus Christ was not dragged to His death. He went to the cross of His own free will and without any reluctance. In fact, He was eager to do it.

He could have prayed for escape--and if He had--His wish would have been granted, John 12:27-28,

Or, had He wanted to, he could have called on other helpers. They were created for that purpose, Psalm 91:12,

...And they were anxious to save Him from harm, Matthew 26:53,

Even men might have gotten Him out of the trouble He was in. Peter wants to in the Garden. Pilate half-wanted to. And I'm sure Herod would have accommodated Him if He'd done a trick or two for the curious king. But He doesn't want this help! And won't take it when it's offered.

Why? Because He wanted to go to the cross. The Samaritans saw "His face set to go to Jerusalem". When Peter tried to talk Him out of it, he was sternly rebuked. Even at the Last Supper, he urged His friend, "What you do, do quickly".

Jesus Christ went to the cross. Willingly.

And He did it knowing full well what it would mean. Some go to their death with a sense of romance or heroism! But He didn't. His hours in the Garden make it clear that He knew how appalling His death must be. The bravest Man "Sweats, as it were, great drops of blood" thinking about the cross that lies before Him.

He knew His Bible. And He knew the prophecies that applied to Him. "Stricken, smitten, wounded, bruised, chastised, striped..."poured out like water, all My bones out of joint, strength is dried up, My tongue clings to My jaws..."They looked upon Him whom they have pierced..."My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"

Yet, knowing all of this--knowing the indescribable pain He must suffer, He went to it without hesitation.

Why did He do that? There's only one answer: Because He loves us, John 13:1,

In coming to the Lord's Table, therefore, let's remember that the Savior we remember and worship is not stingy or hard or indifferent. He's the One who loved you enough to run to the cross for your salvation! And loves you every bit as much now as He did then.

Though His status has changed, His character has not. He's "This same Jesus". "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever".

Let's come to the Table, therefore, with love and admiration and gratitude. After a lifetime of scholarship, Robert Dick Wilson, professor of Old Testament at Princeton Seminary could boil down his faith to one sentence,

That's Whom you've come to remember today. "This do in remembrance of Me".