Remembering the Crucifixion

Lord’s Supper

Tonight we will observe the Lord’s Supper.

We remember the meal that Jesus ate with his disciples in observance if the Passover.

We read the account Luke 22:14-23

Luke 22:14–23 CSB

When the hour came, he reclined at the table, and the apostles with him. Then he said to them, “I have fervently desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. For I tell you, from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. But look, the hand of the one betraying me is at the table with me. For the Son of Man will go away as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” So they began to argue among themselves which of them it could be who was going to do it.

So as our Lord commands, tonight we will partake in the Lord’s Supper, the bread (His body), and the cup (His blood), in remembrance of Him.

But tonight as we are remembering His crucifixion, I want us to really remember what He did for us.

I want us to remember His betrayal. Knowing who his betrayer was, he allowed Himself to be taken for our sake.

But I want us to also remember our betrayal. That all that happened to Christ was on account of our sin. As we remember in the hymn “How Great the Father’s Love for Us” It was my sin that held him there, until it was accomplished.

Remember that he was crowned with thorns and beaten viciously, ripping the flesh from his back.

I want us to also remember that He was passed over to be set free for a common criminal. Instead the people shouted “Crucify Him”

Remember that he was forced to carry His own cross to his death, until he could not and that another carried it for Him.

Remember the nails going into his hands and feet.

Remember that crucifixion was a slow and painful death. That every breath came with enormous effort as he had to push off the nails in his feet and pull off the nails in his hands for just another breath.

Remember that he hung there for hours. Mocked by the soldiers who gambled over his clothes, and by those crucified with him. With the title “King of the Jews” mockingly placed above him.

Remember what He said from the cross, what we have heard tonight.

Remember that when he died, they pierced his side and water and blood flowed out.

Remember all of these things, and then remember what he said.

This is my body which is given for you.

This is my blood, which is poured out for you.

Remember that Jesus died for you. That, because He loved you, He went to the cross and endured all that He endured, so that your sins might be forgiven.

It is no accident that at the time the Jews were celebrating God’s deliverance of them from their bondage in Egypt, that by the blood of lambs God passed over their house, that Jesus was preparing to God to the cross.

Jesus the Lamb of God, whose blood was shed so we might be free from the bondage of sin and that by his blood our sins may be passed over.

This is what we remember tonight.