Jonathan Edwards once made this remark about Jesus at the Last Supper, when our Lord inaugurated this sacrament, “This act he did as God’s minister, as God’s anointed priest; and it was the greatest act of his public ministry, the greatest act of his obedience, by which he purchased heaven for believers.”
This meal was the high point of Christ’s earthly ministry before His descent into the sufferings of the cross, the despair of being the cursed of God for our sins, and down into the darkness of Hades. At that last feast, Christ offers Himself up to God as the only truly righteous one. But then He offers Himself to His disciples.
Only because Christ offered Himself up to God can He then offer Himself to you as well. The pinnacle of earthly righteousness was this sacred meal. This is the crown jewel. For in this meal the Righteous One who was soon to lay down His life covenanted to both take your place and take you with Him.
He not only died in your place, but you also died in Him. Here is the covenant meal which assures us that the wages of death we ought to pay for every last trifling sin has been paid in His body broken and blood spilled. Here is the covenant bond which also secures for you eternal life. He extends His righteousness to you, even while making your sin His own.
That’s why we shouldn’t think of this meal as just a sweet time to reflect on precious memories. This isn’t like looking through your Grandpa’s photo-album; it’s more like discovering your Grandpa’s will that leaves everything to you. This meal is the bond which secures your deliverance from the just wrath on your sin, and will one day bring you into everlasting glory, joy, and blessedness.
So come in faith and welcome to Jesus Christ…
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