This Do In Remembrance of Me

In 1 Cor. 11, the Apostle to the Gentiles writes to the Corinthian assembly. I say that purposely to draw attention to Paul because He was the only one ordained by the risen Lord Himself to go specifically out from the Jews directly to the Gentiles, even though his ministry would include everybody and anybody. A point I believe very much missed by Christendom today. Catholicism, for example, may as well be a pharisaical religion under Law. And although Protestantism tried to break away, it hasn’t gone very far. The mysteries of the “Body of Christ” were revealed to only Paul. And, as Peter writes in his letter, they are HARD to understand. Wrong perspective.

Many scholars believe this letter to be the first written description of the Lord’s Supper since this letter from Paul is dated earlier than most of the Gospels. This is very edifying to contemplate since Paul was NOT at the “Last Supper.”

So in 1 Cor. 11 verses 23-30 (reading from the AMP version) For I received from the Lord Himself that [instruction] which I passed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This represents My body, which is [offered as a sacrifice] for you. Do this in [affectionate] remembrance of Me.”

In the same way, after supper, He took the cup saying, “This cup is the new covenant [ratified and established] in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in [affectionate] remembrance of Me.” For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are [symbolically] proclaiming [the fact of] the Lord’s death until He comes [again].

So then whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in a way that is unworthy [of the Lord] will be guilty of [profaning and sinning against] the body and blood of the Lord. But a person must [prayerfully] examine himself [and his relationship to Christ], and only when he has done so should he eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks [without solemn reverence and heartfelt gratitude for the sacrifice of Christ], eats and drinks a judgment on himself if he does not respect Christ’s sacrifice nor his fellow believers [the body of Christ] for whom Christ also died.

That [careless and unworthy participation] is the reason why many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep [in death].

“Do this in remembrance of Me.” We assemble ourselves as often as we do, to remember Jesus and in so doing, to worship Him and our Father God Who GAVE  His only begotten Son for our salvation. Jesus didn’t say “Remember My death.” He said Remember Me. So... what would Jesus have us to remember of Himself?

A synopsis of His life is precious and enriching to discern and meditate on. And since the world could not contain the books that could be written of all that Jesus was and did, I will not be sharing many details, only to remind us that we are here to remember Him, and not just His death and resurrection, but His life as well. But I do not have adequate words to describe Jesus to anyone.

We cannot define Jesus because our words are so finite. I could say “Jesus is infinitely the most profoundly important historical figure. I could say He is the Most Holy One but we have no idea. How do we describe His union with God? Finite words cannot define or explain the infinite.

Scientists would tell us there are 1 "septillion" stars, or a "1" with 24 zeros after it. Another term is 200 billion trillion stars...subject to change. Do we comprehend this number? Do they?

Jesus was God the Son in human form.
There are many books, and many treatises, and many sermons by scholars who don’t know. Surmising is an insult because it is arrogant. Rom. 1:22 says, Professing to be wise, they are made fools. And Titus 1:16 says, They profess to know God but their actions deny Him.

Jesus was born without sin. (Heb. 4:15; 1 John 3:5; 2 Cor. 5:21)
I think Song of Solomon gives us a picture of how “altogether lovely” Jesus was. With no corruption or ugliness of sin in Him, I think we can discern how beautiful a person He must have been... attractive, if you will. And yet Isaiah 53 says, He has no stately form or splendor; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. Of course, Song of Solomon shows us a different Bridegroom. We must contrast all that with Isaiah’s description of His disfigured and broken appearance, because of sin, and judgment, and the wrath of God.

Jesus went about doing good.
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. (Acts 10:38)

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. (Matt. 9:35)

The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. (Matt. 11:5)

Jesus revealed God’s Grace and Power.
Indeed, He was the manifestation of God Himself. Here again, words will fail us. Awesome is a tiny word that begins to build a mountain of a picture which must be finished in glory.

Jesus loved...
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. (John 15:12-14)

Jesus loved so much that...
Jesus died for us... So that we might be saved and be made the righteousness of God, and partakers of the divine nature. (2 Cor. 5:21; 2 Peter 1:4; Col. 1:27). Jesus can only be known in true worship and communion as we abide in Him.

Jesus was both the Lord's Anointed, and the Lord's Afflicted
Yes, Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, the King, the Son of God. But He was first and foremost the Lamb of God Who would take upon Himself the sin of mankind and then suffer God’s wrath for it. Jesus came for one thing... to atone for sin and redeem God’s entire creation, and then He could be King and Savior.