DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME: DO EXACTLY WHAT?
The last supper of our Lord Jesus Christ was a passover feast on the Jewish Day of Preparation. He directed two of his disciples in the book of Luke 22:8 to go and make preparations for the passover feast by getting a room for the supper.
(Luke 22:8 KJV) And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.
(Luke 22:12 KJV) And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.
In the course of the meal, Jesus gave bread and wine to his disciples to share amongst themselves and thereafter instructed them to do this in remembrance of him. The question is which of the activities did he instruct them to do in remembrance of him. Is it the celebration of the passover feast which at that point they were observing or his last supper, which was also part of his activities of the passover feast. Please note that the passover meal was usually concluded with eating the remaining portion of the unleavened flat bread (called afikomen matzah) and drinking a cup of wine.
(Luke 22:19-20 KJV) And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Notice in the bible that Jesus did not say that the eating of the meal that night is a new solemn ceremony or act. He rather appropriated the purpose of an old ceremony which is the passover feast to a new purpose; hence the propriety of the expression, "This do in remembrance of me". They are no longer to observe the passover feast in remembrance of the deliverance from Egypt, but in remembrance of his death which brings deliverance from spiritual bondage. In other words, Jesus expects us to observe this everlasting covenant of passover; not in remembrance of the deliverance from Egypt but in remembrance of his death.
(Exodus 12:14 KJV) And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
You that is in Christ has become part of the commonwealth of Israel and can partake of passover feast in remembrance of his death.
(Ephesians 2:12 KJV) That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
(Ephesians 2:19 KJV) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
So when a Christian partakes of the holy communion, the person is invariably observing the feast of passover. The nature of the feast/ meal has however changed. The killing of the passover Lamb is not part of it anymore as Jesus Christ became the passover Lamb. Other ceremonial pattern for eating the passover feast has also been excluded by Christians. This is rightfully so as Jesus changed the purpose of the feast. No specific patterns with regards to the frequency of the occasion and other contents of the meal aside unleavened bread were prescribed for the new covenant. Some have however chosen to retain a slightly modified version of the old testament pattern others just eat the unleavened bread and drink the wine (holy communion) without observing other ceremonies of the feast.
If you like our blog, kindly share your views, suggestions, and comments. Like our Facebook page @BibleWatch, follow us on Twitter @bible_watch and click to the Subscribe button above.
Comments
Post a Comment