LESSON XLII. Lord’s Supper

Questions to Lesson 42^{*What is the subject of this lesson? Of what is the bread an emblem? Of what the wine? What does this institution naturally bring to mind? What else? What did Jesus command respecting it? Whom does it keep in memory? To what does it point? To what do we look forward? For whom will Jesus come? How long will the Lord’s supper be observed? What does true faith enjoy? What is promised in Isa. xxv? What did Jesus promise his disciples should do in his kingdom? What feast will there be kept?}

On the same night in which Jesus was betrayed he gave to his disciples two institutions. The one of which we have spoken was expressive of their love for each other, and was preparatory to the other. It prepares the disciple to have a “part with Jesus”—to eat of his flesh, and drink of his blood by faith. John 6:53. The other was to keep in memory their dying Lord. It is a solemn act of worship to him who gave his life to purchase eternal life for us. It is called the Lord’s supper.BIC 97.2

The broken bread is an emblem of the body of Jesus, which was bruised and broken for us. The wine is an emblem of his blood, which he gave for the life of the world.BIC 98.1

This institution brings to mind our lost condition as sinners, without God and without hope in the world; and also the amazing love of Christ who pitied us in our ruined slate, justly condemned to death, and freely died a sacrifice for our sins.BIC 98.2

It is commemorative, Said Jesus, This do in remembrance of me. Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24, 25. It keeps in memory our dying Lord, and expresses our faith in what he has done for us. With what joy should the Christian keep the token which Jesus left us of his dying love! When he was about to depart out of this world and go to the Father, having loved his disciples, who were to remain in the world, he left them this institution as a keepsake, to remind them of his love.BIC 98.3

While this institution points us back to what Jesus has done for us, we naturally look forward to what he has promised to do for all his faithful children. No, only does it carry the mind back to that “doleful night” when the powers of darkness were arrayed against the inoffensive Lamb of God; but it carries it forward to that glorious morning when that same Jesus shall come in the glory of his Father with the holy angels, to take all his saints to those mansions in his Father’s house, which he has gone to prepare. “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show forth the Lord’s death till he come.” 1 Corinthians 11:26.BIC 98.4

If our “historical faith” only looks back upon the past, and can see nothing but shadows and dimness in the promised future, we have not more than half of the faith of Jesus. True faith enjoys the promises.BIC 99.1

While we remember the price that has been paid to procure our salvation from sin, we turn to the glorious future and see what will be enjoyed, as the consequences of our redemption. A feast of fat things, and of wines well refined is promised to all of God’s people, [Isaiah 25,] and Jesus promised his disciples that they might eat and drink at his table in his kingdom. Luke 22:30; 4:15; Matthew 26:29. Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. Revelation 19:9.BIC 99.2