The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 373

Ver. 26.-Tlie Church's proclamation. What so fitted to rebuke those who profaned: the Supper of the Lord, what so fitted to arouse them to a s.ense of their high calling:, as a solemn declaration like this? 'fhe noisy, greedy, quarrelsome gatherings which. seem at Corinth to have been associated with the professed observance of one of the highest mysteries of the Christian faith, naturally awakened the indignation and the reproaches of the apostle. Recalling them to a sense of the dignity of their position ae- witnesses to God in an ignorant and sinful world, the apostle summons the Corinthian Christians so to eat the bread and drink the cup of the Eucharist as to declare to all the sacred tidings of a Redeemer's death. I. THIS SACRAMENT IS A COMMEMORATION OF THE PAST. 'l'he Lord's death was Ill) admitted fact; and if anything was needed to establish the historical fact, the existenc" of this ordinance was sufficient and more than sufficient for the purpose. But men may forget and lose sight of an event which they do not dream of denying. An,! it seemed good to Divine wisdom that the crncifixion and sacritice of the Sun of G0<l should be held in everlasting memory by means of this simple but most si;ruilicant observance. It was not simply as an historical fact that tho death of Christ was; to be recorded, but as a Christian doctrine. Christ's was n redeeming, atoning, recon- ciling death ; nnd as such was cherished in el'erlasting memory by those who profited by it, who owed to it their eternal hopes. II. 'l'HIS SACRAMENT IS A PROCLAMATION TO 'l'HE PRESENT. "Yo set forth, or proclaim. the Lord's death," says tho apostle. And from his expression, "as often," it mny be inforred that periodically and frequently the primitivo Christians kept the feast, remem bcring aud declaring that "Christ our Passover is slain for us." '!'here is something very affecting and at the 8amo time very inspiring in this representation. From generation to generation and from age to age the sacrament of the Lord's body and blood publishes salvation to mankind, telling of him who tasted death for every mnn, and in his cross reconciled the world unto God. It is an aspect of the Holy Communion which should not bo left out of sight, upon which great stress should bo laid; for some, whom words may fail to reach, may havo their hearts openctl to the grace and love of Chri~t by witnessing tho silent yet eloquent declaration concerning the Saviour which is presented when the members of Christ's Church partake of the symbols of their redemption, ill. Tms SACRAMENT IS A Pl\EDICTION OF THE FUTUI\E. " Till he come! " Our Lord, in instituting the ordinance, had turned tho gaze of his disciples towards tbo future, speaking of drinking wine new in the kingdom of God. And here the eyo of faith is pointed on to the glory which shall be revealed when he who came to c\ie shall come to judge, shall come to reign 1 "And thus that dnrk betrayal night, With the Inst advent wo unito Dy ono bright chain of loving rite, Until he come I" T.  S78 THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORIN1'HIANS. [cH, xI. 1-84.