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I. IN THIS ORDINANCE THE BELIEVER CONTEMPLATES THE FULL ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE INFINITELY IMPORTANT OBJECTS WHICH THAT DEATH WAS DESIGNED TO ATTAIN.

1. In the sufferings and death of our Redeemer exhibited in the Lord's Supper faith discerns the character of the true God unfolded, and His transcendent glory displayed, with far more brightness than by all the works of creation.

2. In the death of Christ, as represented in fide Lord's Supper, the believer by faith discerns the price of his own salvation and the only foundation of his hope before God.

3. The believer contemplates in the death of Christ, as represented in the Lord's Supper, the source of all his spiritual blessings and a never-failing spring of strong consolation in his afflictions.

4. The believer, in the ordinance of the Supper, views by faith our glorious Messiah's death as accomplishing a happy reconciliation between men and angels, and as opening to both new discoveries and new employments.

II. IN THIS ORDINANCE THE BELIEVING CHRISTIAN PERCEIVES A LIVELY AND AFFECTING REPRESENTATION OF ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES CONNECTED WITH THE DEATH OF CHRIST AND THE BLESSINGS TO BE THEREBY CONVEYED TO HIS PEOPLE.

1. All who sit at the sacred table partake of these elements and affectionately distribute them from one to another; thus we are reminded that there is a sufficiency in Christ to supply the wants of all His people, and that they are all children of the same family, eating at the same table, drinking of the same cup, and bound by every endearing tie to love one another and to live as brethren.

2. After partaking of the sacred symbols they retire from the communion table, from the delightful service of the sanctuary, to mingle in the duties and toils and trials of life. For it is only in the temple not made with hands that their fellowship shall be uninterrupted and their joy be full.

3. At the first celebration of the sacrament the condescending Saviour Himself was present with His disciples and gave them the cup and spake words of consolation to their fainting minds. Thus it still is as to His spiritual presence; He is in the midst of them to do them good; the cup of blessing which in His name we bless is the communion of the blood of Christ.

III. THE BELIEVING CHRISTIAN CONTEMPLATES THE SACRAMENT OF THE SUPPER AS A SACRED MEMORIAL OF HIS INESTIMABLE FRIEND, THE BEST BELOVED OF HIS SOUL; AND AS A FEAST OF COMMEMORATION, DESIGNED TO KEEP UP THE BELIEVING AND SANCTIFYING REMEMBRANCE OF WHAT SCRIPTURE TESTIFIES CONCERNING HIM,

1. Ye shew forth the Lord's death; the Lord of angels and men; the Lord of heaven and earth; the Lord of providence and grace. It wonderfully enlarges and elevates the mind of devout communicants when they can enter into the contemplation of their Redeemer's personal greatness; as the brightness of the Father's glory; as upholding all things by the word of His power; as King of kings and Lord of lords; and as the same to-day, yesterday, and for ever.

2. Again, when showing forth the Lord's death, "do it in remembrance" that He is the Mediator of the New Testament, or better covenant. When you are engaged in this ordinance you ought to rest on the sure promises of that covenant which was sealed with the blood of the Testator; be persuaded of their truth, embrace them, and plead their fulfilment.

3. Once more, when showing forth the Lord's death, not only remember that He died in the character of Mediator between an offended God and offending creatures, but survey the gradual progress of His work from its commencement before the worlds were framed to its consummation in the glorifying of all the elect.

IV. WE ARE TO VIEW THIS ORDINANCE AS A SOLEMN GOSPEL FEAST, A SACRED CHRISTIAN FESTIVAL.

1. In the everlasting gospel provision is made for the most indigent of mankind; and in this sacred ordinance the poor and needy feed with satisfaction on the rich blessings of the great salvation.

2. Provision is not the only idea which enters into our mind under the general term of a feast or supper; nourishment also is included, and when applied to this sacred ordinance it suggests this reviving sentiment, that by the right participation of the Lord's Supper humble believers are strengthened with the inestimable blessings of that well-ordered covenant which the great Master of the feast makes with all who give themselves to Him.

3. Besides nourishment and provision the comparison of the sacred ordinance before us to a feast or supper conveys to the mind all the animating ideas of fellowship and intercourse with the whole Church of Christ.

V. THIS ORDINANCE IS REPRESENTED, IN THE WORDS OF THE INSTITUTION, AS A DISTINGUISHING BADGE OF CHRISTIANITY AND A MARK OF SEPARATION BETWEEN THE FRIENDS OF CHRIST AND THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD.

1. Those who have a right to participate of this holy ordinance are in Christ, and are new creatures.

2. They lay aside the sins which beset them, and separate themselves from whatever is displeasing to their heavenly Father. They are awake to the infinite evil of sin, and are brought through Divine grace to hate it perfectly, as displeasing to God by whom they lived and on whom they rely.

3. Those who are prepared to show forth the death of Christ, love Him above all that this poor world can give or promise.

VI. WE NOW DIRECT YOUR MEDITATIONS TO THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE DEATH OF CHRIST AND HIS SECOND COMING AS THE SOVEREIGN JUDGE OF QUICK AND DEAD. His death prepared the way for all the triumphs of the general resurrection, and the sacred ordinance of the Supper is a standing pledge, that He who was once offered up to bear the sins of many will come the second time without a sin-offering for the complete salvation of His people.

(A. Bonar.)

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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.