Maundy Thursday

1 Corinthians 11:23-34
“The Perpetual Nature of Communion”

Introduction: Something truly new and different is happening as Christ our Lord institutes His Supper. We call it the Last Supper because it was the Last supper, which Jesus ate before His arrest, trial and death. It can also be referred to as the Lat Supper because, at last, after this supper, something new is taking place. In establishing this Holy Communion Jesus is presenting to us a new covenant in His body and blood.  Holy Communion certainly is a truly new covenant.  This new covenant speaks of the work that we accomplished in Jesus Christ.

“This do” –do the same thing “in remembrance of Me”

A command; “do this.” The Old covenant = “this do and live” It was a covenant of regulations disciplines and rules. It was based on strict obedience. It was motivated by fear; fear of reprisals, fear of failure, and fear of offending a just and holy God.

Yet it could not stand the test of every man for no one is capable of following the decrees and dictates of a holy God.  For this reason our good and gracious Father set forth a place that at just the right time His Son, our Savior, would break into time and space to offer up Himself a good and perfect sacrifice. This was accomplished when Christ instituted His Supper “which is given and shed for you for the forgiveness of all of your sins.”

The new covenant = “live and do this.”  The benefits of the new covenant, celebrated by Christians in this wonderful Sacrament are the fruits of Christ’s righteousness. He gives to us the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. We are now free to live as the children of God.

A reason behind the command “to remember Me” Because of this freedom, this new life that is offered by Christ, we are now strengthened to will and to do the will of our heavenly Father. Obedience no longer becomes a burden. It becomes a blessing and an opportunity to serve God in righteousness and purity.

Transition: Everything we will ever need of the Savior is offered in this meal

We hear much today about changes in religion to make it “relative”.

Christ evidently didn’t envision any other way. Under the Old Covenant each generation had too pass down to the next one how the sacrifices we to be carried out. If they failed to teach their children how the sacrifice was to be performed the entire custom would be lost in one generation. The hope of forgiveness, restoration and peace would be lost forever.

These sacrifices had to be frequent because people repeatedly sinned. As there were sacrifices named for specific sins, these sacrifices could only last but once. There was but one sacrifice for each offense. When a subsequent offense occurred, another sacrifice had to be offered if people were to have their sin atone and their conscience stilled.

He has provided salvation for all time. He was offered once for all. There is no need for repeated sacrifices for Christ the Lamb of God was slain once on the bloody and cruel cross of Calvary for the sin of the entire world. The announcement of John says, it clearly for us, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”  If Christ has truly taken the entire world’s sin to Himself – no other sacrifice is necessary.  The benefits of this all sufficient sacrifice comes to us every time we partake in this wonderful meal.

Conclusion:  This meal is truly a celebration of the new things God is making in us. It a new covenant - a covenant of His mercy and grace. It is a feat of victory of our God who has done all things well for His glory and our good. Come, come weary sinners, come to the foot of the cross, for all things are now ready.