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To "show forth" here means to pro-claim. In communicating we set forward the death of Jesus, according to the views we may entertain of it. The most important views will be brought before us if we consider it as it is described in Scripture —

I. AS THE FOUNDATION OF ALL OUR HOPES OF GOD'S FAVOUR AND OF ETERNAL LIFE. In it we see One who was God's equal suffering in His human nature as the only means by which sin could be expiated and sinners saved. We cannot doubt that this atonement is sufficient, and see, therefore, in the death of Christ the complete removal of all barriers to our salvation, and a way thrown open for our restoration to blessedness.

II. AS THE SOURCE OF THE MOTIVES BY WHICH OUR CONDUCT OUGHT TO BE REGULATED.

1. What could be more fitted to make us feel deeply and realise strongly our obligation to devote ourselves to God's service than this gift of God's love?

2. Is there any sin which the contemplation of Christ's death should not prompt and enable us to subdue — any grace which it is not fitted to implant and to cherish? Are any of you disposed to be proud? — then think of Him who humbled Himself. Are any of you disposed to be selfish? — then think of Him who submitted to a cruel and shameful death for the good of those who had no claim upon His regard. Would any one see an example of compassion and fortitude — of love to God and love to man, in circumstances well fitted to touch his heart and to produce decided imitation? — let him look to the death of Christ.

III. AS THE GREAT GROUND OF OUR CONSOLATION AMID TRIALS AND AFFLICTIONS.

1. That the Captain of our salvation was made perfect through suffering reminds us of the important and salutary place which suffering holds in the moral government of God, and cordially reconciles us to the great principle that it is by much tribulation that we must enter the kingdom.

2. Christ, having endured the Cross, being now set down at the right hand of God, is an encouragement to His people to bear their trials with resignation, and to press on with diligence — Christ's success having ensured theirs, and the result in His case being substantially a pattern of what is to be the result in ours.

3. The death of Christ is peculiarly fitted to afford believers encouragement and consolation in looking forward to their own encounter with the last enemy. The King of terrors is indeed a formidable foe, but Christ, by dying, has deprived him of all power to hurt; and when we know this we shall no longer be subject to bondage through the fear of death, but shall be enabled to say, "O Death, where is thy sting?" etc. Conclusion: These are some plain views of the death of Christ as set before us in the Scriptures. As often as ye eat that bread, and drink that cup, you show them, and thereby pledge yourselves to hold them forth more fully in the whole tenor of your conversation.

(W. Cunningham, D.D.)

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KJV: For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

WEB: For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.