by Mark Mayberry
Synopsis: In his editorial, composed over Easter weekend 2018, Mark reflects upon the diverse cultural practices associated with "Holy Week," many of which are rooted in human traditions, and relays instruction from God's Word regarding the focus, frequency and fellowship of the Lord's Supper.
Near the end of March, I watched several news reports of how Christendom celebrates the Holy Week leading up to Easter. Traditions vary dramatically. Cultural customs are often superimposed upon the underlying biblical teaching, frequently supplanting the Scriptures. I was reminded of Paul's statement to the Athenians:
So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you" (Acts 17:22-23, NASB).
To correct certain misconceptions, and achieve a better understanding of our duty before God, let us consider the Lord's Supper. Our Lord Jesus Christ instituted the Lord's Supper on the night of His betrayal. It serves as a perpetual memorial of His sacrifice on the cross, commemorating His death, burial, and resurrection.
The adjective memorial, derived from the Latin memorialis, from memoria (memory), is descriptive of something "(1) serving to preserve remembrance: commemorative; (2) of or relating to memory" (Webster).
The noun memorial refers to "(1) something that keeps remembrance alive: as (a) a monument; (b) something (as a speech or ceremony) that commemorates; (c) keepsake, memento; (2) (a) record, memoir; (b) memorandum, note; specifically: a legal abstract; (c) a statement of facts addressed to a government and often accompanied by a petition or remonstrance" (Webster).
Consider also how, Memorial Day (celebrated since 1869) refers to "(1) May 30 formerly observed as a legal holiday in most states of the U.S. in remembrance of war dead; (2) the last Monday in May observed as a legal holiday in most states of the US" (Webster).
Memorials may be connected with a place, a date, an event, a concept, or a relationship. Consider the following memorials, as set forth in the book of Exodus: YHWH, derived from the verb HAYAH (to be), rendered LORD: I AM WHO I AM, is God's Memorial-Name (Exod. 3:13-15). The Passover and the Feast of Unleaven Bread commemorated Israel's deliverance from Egyptian slavery (Exod. 12:14-22). God's judgment against the treachery of Amalek was commemorated in writing (Exod. 17:8-16). The ephod of the High Priest served as a memorial of Israel's special status before God (Exod. 28:6-14; 39:2-7). The census, along with the atonement money (a half shekel required of everyone over twenty years of age), served as a memorial for the sons of Israel of their accountability before God (Exod. 30:11-16).
Let us, therefore, consider the significance of the Lord's Supper, instituted on the night of Jesus' betrayal, commemorating His death, burial and resurrection (Matt. 26:26-29; cf. also Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26).
While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom" (Matt. 26:26-29).
The Lord's Supper looks backward, forward, inward, and outward. Jesus commanded His disciples, "Do this in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:14-20). The Lord's Supper also looks forward, with eager anticipation, to the Lord's return. Through properly participating in this memorial, believers proclaim the Lord's death until He comes (1 Cor. 11:23-26).
Correct observance of the Communion involves introspection: "A man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup" (1 Cor. 11:27-32). All need to engage in honest self-examination on a regular, reoccurring basis.
Proper participation involves proclamation: "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes" (1 Cor. 11:26). The Greek word kataggellÅ, a compound of kata (prep. according to) and aggellÅ (to announce, report), means "to proclaim" (Thomas 2605). BDAG say this word, which is frequently used of public decrees, means "to make known in public, with implication of broad dissemination, proclaim, announce."
As Paul proclaimed the Unknown God to ignorant worshippers in Athens (Acts 17:22-23), and as he proclaimed Christ to saints and sinners alike (1 Cor. 2:1-5), so we, through faithful observance of the Lord's Supper, proclaim our belief in the risen Savior through our words, works, and worship (Col. 1:28). As the universe silently proclaims the glory of God (Ps. 19:1-6), so believers silently proclaim their faith in the risen Savior through their reflective and reverential observance of this memorial (Col. 3:17).
The Old Testament refers to annual observances, such as Passover, or Purim. The Law of Moses instituted monthly observances, such as the celebration of the new moon. In the gospel dispensation, the Lord's Supper involves a weekly observance. In the celebration of Easter, Christendom has substituted an annual observance for one that should occur weekly.
On the first day of the week, Jesus was resurrected from the grave (Mark 16:1-8). On the first day of the week, the disciples assembled to break bread, commemorating the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:7). On the first day of the week, disciples contribute of their means so that the church might fulfill its duty regarding evangelism, edification, and benevolence (1 Cor. 16:1-2).
The Lord's Supper is an act of fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ, shared among all like-minded believers (Acts 2:41-47). During the final leg of Paul's third missionary journey, despite his eager desire to reach Jerusalem in time for Passover, he stayed at Troas for seven days so that he might observe the Lord's Supper in the assembly of the saints on the first day of the week (Acts 20:6-7). In observing the Lord's Supper, believers share in the blood and body of Christ. Holy Communion is an act of fellowship with God above and saints below (1 Cor. 10:14-22). This memorial is shared by those who are partakers of God's covenant, citizens in the His kingdom, members of the Lord's church (Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25).
Are you in a saved relationship with Jesus Christ, thus enjoying fellowship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? Or are you still in fellowship with sin, and thus suffering alienation from the God of Heaven? If you are a baptized believer, how do you approach this divinely instituted memorial? In observing the Lord's Supper, what is your focus? What is the frequency of your participation? What is the scope of your fellowship? May we properly commemorate Christ's sacrifice, and enjoy the promised benefits of so doing.
Author Bio: Mark and Sherelyn Mayberry have labored with the Adoue Street church of Christ in Alvin, TX since 1998, where he serves as the evangelist and an elder. The church website is ascoc.org. His Bible study website is markmayberry.net. He can be reached at mark@truthpublications.com.
