1 Corinthians 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. (Text, and Colossians 3:17): — One of the saddest things about the Christian life is that it seems to be split into two parts. Is the distinction between sacred and secular a valid one? is there any reason why a man's prayers should be more devout than his business? Look at these two passages. The same consecration is claimed for the most trivial acts of daily life, as is claimed for the sacred communion. I. ALL THE OBJECTS AROUND US ARE TO BE REGARDED AS SYMBOLS AND MEMORIALS OF OUR LORD. Bread and wine are common things: the act of eating and drinking is not an elevated one; a supper-table is not a very holy place. And when Christ selected them He showed us that all material things were fitted and intended to impart the same teaching. The unity of the Maker, the all-pervading influence of one Divine Spirit, make everything sacred, and put every object to witness to some Divine truth. Every day we walk amidst the "outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual grace," and this wonderful world is one great sacrament. 1. All the elements stand as types of spiritual things — the sunshine of the "light of the world," the wind of the Spirit, the water of the stream of life and drink for thirsty souls, and the fire of His purity and of His wrath. 2. All objects are consecrated to Him. The trees of the field speak of the "root of David," and the vine of which we are all branches. The everlasting mountains are His "righteousness," the mighty deep His "judgments." 3. All the processes of nature have been laid hold of by Him. The gentle dew falls a promise, and the lashing rain forebodes a storm, when many a sand-built house shall be swept away. Every spring is a prophecy of the resurrection, every harvest a promise of the coming of His kingdom. 4. All living things testify of Him. He is Lord over the fish, the fowls, the beasts. 5. All occupations of men are consecrated to reveal Him. He laid His hand upon the sower, the vine-dresser, the shepherd, etc., as being emblems of Himself. 6. All relations between men testify of Him — father, mother, brother, friend, etc. In a word, every act of our life sets forth some aspect of our Lord and of our relation to Him, from the moment when we open our eyes in the morning, up to the hour when night falls, and sleep, the image of death, speaks to us of the last solemn moment, when we shall close the eyes of our body on earth, to open those of our soul on the realities of eternity. If you would know the meaning of the world, read Christ in it. II. EVERY ACT OF OUR LIFE IS TO BE DONE FROM THE SAME MOTIVE AS THAT HOLY COMMUNION. "This do in remembrance of Me... discerning the Lord's body." "Whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus," i.e., for the sake of the character, as revealed to you, of Him whom you love. 1. Is that sacred motive one which we keep for select occasions and special acts of worship? I am afraid that the most do with that Divine reason, "the love of Christ constraineth me," as the old Franks with their long-haired kings — they keep them in the palace at all ordinary times, only now and then bring them out to grace a procession. There is no action of life which is too great to bow to the influence of "This do in remembrance of Me"; and there is no action of life which is too small to be turned into a solemn sacrament by the operation of the same motive. Do you and I keep our religion as princes do their crown jewels — only wearing them on festive occasions, and have we another dress for working days? 2. Is it not something to have a principle which prevents anything from degenerating into triviality, or from pressing upon us with an overwhelming weight? Would it not be grand if we could so go through life, as that all should be not one dead level, but one high plateau, because all rested upon "Whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus"? Ah! it is possible — not to our weak faith, perhaps; but the weakness of the faith is not inevitable. It is possible, and therefore it is duty; and therefore the opposite is sin. To have my life with one high, diffusive influence through it all, is like one of those applications of power where a huge hammer is lifted up, and comes down with a crash that breaks the granite in pieces, or may be allowed to fall so gently and so true that it touches without cracking a tiny nut beneath it; or it is like that mighty power that holds a planet in its orbit, and yet binds down the sand-grain and dust-mote to its place. III. ALL LIFE, LIKE THE COMMUNION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER, MAY BE, AND OUGHT TO HE, A SHOWING-FORTH OF CHRIST'S DEATH. The death of Christ, which is shown forth in the holy communion, as a death for us, and the ground of our hope, is to be shown forth in our daily walk, as a death working in us, and the ground of our conduct (2 Corinthians 4:10, 11). There is not only the atoning aspect in Christ's death, but the example of the way by which we are to "mortify our members which are upon earth," because "we are dead with Him, and our life is hid with Christ in God." No man manifests the death of Christ by any outward act of worship, who is not feeling it daily in his own soul. It is in vain for us to say that we are relying on Christ, unless Christ be in us, slaying the old man and quickening the new. You do "show forth the Lord's death till He come" when you "crucify the old man with his affections and lusts," and "rise again into newness of life." The fact is better than the symbol — the inward communion more true than the outward participation. IV. THIS COMMUNION IS IN ITSELF ONE OF THE MIGHTIEST MEANS FOR MAKING THE WHOLE OF LIFE LIKE ITSELF. In this ordinance, as it were, is the reservoir: out of it there come the streams that freshen and gladden the piety of daily life. Only remember, not the outward act, but the emotions which it kindles, are the reservoir. Not the taking that cup in your hand, but the deeper glow of feeling which is legitimately kindled then, and the intenser faith which springs therefrom; these are the fountains which will nourish verdure and life through our dusty days. And so, if you want to live in this world, doing the duty of life, knowing the blessings of it, doing your work heartily, and yet not absorbed by it; remember that the one power whereby you can so act is, that all shall be consecrated to Christ, and done for His salve! (A. Maclaren, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. |
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