Today being the day that we celebrate Holy Communion, it is very fitting that we examine the true significance of this Ordinance. Indeed, there is that somber, retrospective, reflective, worshipful and introspective aspect to it, but I do not want us to lose sight of the fact that Holy Communion is a Celebration. Who here does not like to participate in a celebration? It is important however, in fact very important that we understand what we are celebrating, and who we are celebrating.

Luke 22:15-20

15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer:

16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:

18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body, which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Jesus was saying that it was with great delight and anticipation that He was meeting with His disciples, the ones He lovl2d, spent all of His time with, the ones He literally poured His life into for the three years of His public ministry. Our Lord was not permanently clothed or covered with an aura, or haloed crown that publicized to everyone, "here goes Jesus of Nazareth, the Son Of God" (except when His glory was revealed at His baptism by John The Baptist, or when there was that spectacular Glorious revelation of Himself at the Mount of Transfiguration. Jesus was very man. He desired friendship and fellowship. He was no "untouchable," He was available. He visited his friends, invited Himself to tea at Zacchaeus' home, He kept the wedding festivity alive, and saved it from ruin, by turning water into wine. He fed the hungry multitude, by multiplying the loaves and fishes. He cheerfully engaged in conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well. In the light of all these occurrences, one thing we must all remember, Jesus was always on course, and on message, and never deviated from His central mission and purpose, being our Saviour and Redeemer, The Lamb of God, which was to take away the sin of the world.

In the passage Luke 22: 1-2 we read

1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.

2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

When we examine the Passover, it takes us back to the time when the Jews made their escape from Pharaoh's Egypt, led of God, by the hand Moses. The Passover Lamb had to be slain, and it's redemptive blood flowed as an atonement or covering for the sins of the nation. It is ironic that in verse two, the chief priests and scribes, sought how they might kill Him. Jesus had always taught His followers that He had come to die. Jesus knew that the time for the fulfillment of His mission of redemption on earth, had corne. The epistle to the Hebrews gives us a retrospective summary of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews12:2

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him encfured ~:he cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of lthe throne of God.

Jesus knew that this would have been the last opportunity He had to meet and celebrate with them, and so he planned this celebration, we now call the 'Last Supper.' It was a celebration in anticipation of His soon victory of death, victory over sin, and our liberation from the bondage of sin's claim and hold over our lives. It is indeed a celebration of our Victory, through the vicarious death of Jesus on the cross for our sin.

2 Corinthians: 5:21

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made righteousness of God in him.

There are those of us, believers, who sometimes shun Holy Communion, who share sentiments of guilt and unworthiness. Don't let the enemy succeed, in causing you not to participate in such a most Glorious celebration. We would none of us be worthy should we depend on our own righteousness, which are but filthy rags in the sight of God, but having been justified freely by the grace of God, We have been made worthy. This is what makes the following verses so wonderful.

Romans 8:1-5

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,

4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

There is soon going to be another great day of celebration, 'The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.' Right now the Church is scattered, persecuted and even divided. We meet in small and great isolated groups, but when we share in the Ordinance of Holy Communion, we not only identify with Christ, acknowledging His broken body and His shed Blood, that paid the price of our redemption, but we also identify with all believers throughout Christendom, as we look forward to soon fellowshipping and dining at the table with Jesus, Our Risen Lord.

Matthew 22: 1-5

1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,

2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.

5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:

Revelation 19:7

7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

Revelation 19:9

9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Let us today with a renewed sense of gratitude and praise to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, gratefully and joyfully partake in the greatest exercise of the Church, that of Holy Communion. Each time we participate, it expresses our longing "until it be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God," or "until the Kingdom of God shall come." (Luke 22: 16,18)

All Bible Verses: KJV