Communion and feetwashing are two of the ordinances. Jesus never intended them to be essential for salvation. Having a home in heaven and sins forgiven are only through access to Jesus Christ. There are times, because of physical limitation, that baptism by immersion is not possible, but it won’t stop a person from going to heaven. The ordinances are observed by believers-Christians. They identify us as Christians to others and further bond us to our Lord and Master.
In regards to communion, Jesus said as often as we do it we are to do it in remembrance of him. It symbolizes the cross and what he did for us there, but it also symbolizes what he did when he saved us. His last night on earth involved what New Testament writers call “The Lord’s Supper.” Jesus didn’t give it this name, but he instituted it. From the time of Pentecost the early church observed the first day of the week as the Lord’s Day and began observance of communion. When churches were formed beyond Jerusalem, the Bible writers show it as “when you come to the Lord’s Supper.” Two thousand years later churches have changed and cultures are different, but the ordinance is still the same. Jesus still says when we do it, it is to be in remembrance of him.
There are many superstitions and misunderstandings about the ordinances, especially communion. The devil would love to hinder every believer because he wants to hinder us and our identification with the Lord. One trick he uses it to say that it’s only for the saints. All the saved are saints. We may not feel worthy to be named such, but we are the saints of God and invited to partake of it. Some teach that if you participate that you are saved and that it is maintained by continual practice. This is a lie. Jesus said do it because we remember what he did for us.
Luke 20: 13 “And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. 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.”
Years ago an artist named De Vinci painted one of the most famous paintings in history. He called it the Last Supper. Indeed it was the Lord’s last supper before his death, but he would not partake of it. Many mornings he’d eaten breakfast with the disciples. He went to the homes of others many times and ate. He got hungry just like we do. This Thursday night was Passover. Jesus said he had desired to eat it with them but would not until he ate with them in the kingdom of God.
The Passover was initiated in Egypt the night of the children of Israel’s deliverance from bondage. A one-year old lamb was killed. Its blood was put on the door posts. Its body was eaten. This would be the last of the 10 plagues. Jesus wanted to share this significant meal with the disciples but couldn’t eat it because he was the meal. If Jesus had not become our sacrificial lamb, we would not have a table of remembrance. There would be no Savior. Jesus was Passover. The bread was his body, and he couldn’t partake of his own body. The broken bread is a reminder of his broken body. He passed the cup and told them to drink all, not part, of it. He gave his all. He put his whole body on the line at the cross. When we drink the juice, we are reminded that he shed his blood for our sins, every drop of it. It was shed so we could be released from the bondage of sin and the devil.
On this table our Savior is represented. It is a memorial to him. He did it all for us. He desired to eat, but he didn’t so we can. Jesus promised that he’d eat again in the kingdom of God. One day we will sit down at the marriage supper of the Lamb.
It was Jesus’ last supper. This is the Lord’s Supper. It is laid on this table because of what he laid on the cross.
May we always remember and observe it every day in our hearts.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 