"This Do In Remembrance Of Me"

by T. Rylance | Category: General | Apr 1964

These words were spoken by the Lord Jesus to His apostles on the night in which He was betrayed, and were repeated by Paul to the church of God in Corinth. Neither Paul, nor Luke the beloved physician, who also records them in chapter 22, verse 19, was present when they were spoken. Luke records them in the narrative of the matters that had taken place from the beginning of the Lord's ministry, and had been made known by those who were eye-witnesses and ministers of the Word. This narrative he sent to one named Theophilus (Luke 1.1-4). It was different from this in the case of Paul, who received them direct from the Lord Himself (1 Corinthians 11.28). "For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, how that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, This is My body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of Me".

"This do in remembrance of Me" comes direct from the resurrected Lord Himself to Paul, and to us through him. The Lord instituted "the breaking of the bread" as a remembrance of Himself, to be observed by the churches of God throughout this dispensation until He comes again (1 Corinthians 11.23-26; Acts 2.42, 20.7). It brings before us the sacrifice of Golgotha, which, like the sacrifice of the altar of old is the basis of the worship of God by His redeemed

and separated people. Whilst the observance of this ordinance is an act of obedience, we desire to point out that it has in view the promoting of true worship which God the Father seeks, which ever springs from grateful hearts, appreciative of His own wonderful love manifested in the giving up of His own beloved Son, His unspeakable Gift (2 Corinthians 9.15). What could be more pleasing to Him than to listen to His people expressing both in word and song their appreciation of that glorious Person, and the infinite value of His worth and work?

"Though feeble are our praises,

Christ adds His sweet perfume

And Love the censer raises

Their odours to consume."

Year by year the nations of the earth commemorate those heroes who for love of their countries have sacrificed their all, but here, in the breaking of the bread we are, week by week, as a holy priesthood (1 Peter 2.5) privileged to keep the remembrance of the blessed One who came from Godhead's fullest glory in order to be an offering and a sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5.2), putting away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Having been raised from among the dead, and exalted to God's right hand, He is both the channel and the theme of praise to God.

It was surely a reasonable request that Joseph made to Pharaoh's chief butler, whose heart had been cheered by the good news Joseph had given him of his future restoration to favour with the king, when he said, "But have me in thy remembrance when it shall be well with thee" (Genesis 40.14). But alas, "Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him" (verse 23). What shall we say of children of God who think little of their responsibility in regard to the One who laid down His life for them, securing for them infinitely greater blessings than Joseph had made known to the chief butler? And is our own response to His command "This do in remembrance of Me" what it ought to be? It should be one of the greatest joys of our lives, and to be deprived of participating in it would be irreparable loss indeed. How can any wilfully deprive himself of the opportunity thus afforded to show his appreciation of the One who loved him and died for him upon the Cross? May God help us to consider the matter in the light of the Lord's own words in John 14.21, "Re that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me"!

T. Rylance | Apr 1964
General