Aids to Remembrance
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton
Text: I Corinthians 11:23-25
I. A major objective in partaking of the Lord’s Supper is to remember Jesus’ death - I Corinthians 11:23-25
A. It is often our intent to keep his death in mind, but worldly distractions impose themselves in our minds at time.
1. We might worry about finances
2. Or how our children are doing in school
3. Or how we are doing at work and whether the boss appreciates what we do
4. Or if we can settle that disagreement we had with our spouse just a bit ago
5. Or if Aunt Millie is going to make it through surgery
6. Or if we can get the children to sit still just a moment longer
B. How might we focus on the Lord during the Lord’s Supper
1. The song we sing before hand help us think about the events
2. The reading of a passage, either by the ones serving, or by ourselves as we wait for the communion to be passed can help
C. No one else can worship for us. It is up to each of us to use our own mind to remember Jesus’ death during the Lord’s Supper
D. A long time ago, someone came up with a helpful memory aid for remembering the Lord’s death
II. During the Lord’s Supper, let us remember that there was:
A. One Lord
1. He is the creator of all things - I Corinthians 8:6
2. He is Lord of all men, the earth, and the universe - Philippians 2:9-11
3. And there is no other - Ephesians 4:5
4. So why did the Lord have to die on the cross?
a. Because our sins sold us into death - Romans 6:23
b. We can not buy ourselves back - Psalms 49:7-8
c. Thus God Himself took on the burden of redeeming mankind - Romans 3:21-26
d. II Corinthians 5:21 - Only the sinless could purchase the sinful
5. So let us remember as we partake that there is but One Lord who offered himself at Calvary
B. Two Thieves
1. Jesus died the death of a criminal - Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27-28
a. The one without sin was killed as a sinner
b. But the mention of two thieves is not coincidental to the story
c. Their presence emphasizes that Jesus paid the penalty for our sin
2. The two thieves represent us and all of mankind
a. Initially both thieves railed against Jesus - Matthew 27:38-44
b. But one thief changed - Luke 23:39-42
c. One thief was unrepentant, the other repented
d. All of man can be found in those two categories
3. So let us remember during the Lord’s Supper that Jesus died with two thieves
C. Three Crosses - Luke 23:33
1. The cross was Rome’s selected method of capital punishment
a. It was both an instrument of death and of torture
b. It was a rather simple device, consisting of two wooden beams that crossed each other
c. The victim’s hands were nailed to the horizontal beam and his feet to the vertical one
d. Most victims took days to die, not directly but from eventual suffocation as their weakened body sagged and they could not draw in air
e. Typically these crosses were set up along major roadways to serve as examples of what happens to criminals.
2. Jesus carried his own cross to his crucifixion - John 19:17
a. Until he could carry it no longer - Luke 23:26
3. On the cross, Pilate had the charge against him written - John 19:19-20
4. And his mother stood nearby and watched - John 19:25
5. Let us remember that on that day there were three crosses when there should have only been two
D. Four Parts of His Garments - John 19:23-24
1. Those who were crucified were stripped of any possible dignity
2. Their last remain possessions were taken from them and given to those whose job it was to make sure they died
3. Jesus’ outer garments were divided among the four soldiers, but his tunic was woven as a single piece and they were reluctant to cut it, so they gambled for it.
a. A thousand years prior, this was spoken of - Psalm 22:16-18
b. Even the actions of his enemies fulfilled prophecy
4. This incident reminds us that Jesus lived a life of poverty
a. He was skinny
b. His worldly possessions consisted only of the clothes he wore
c. He had no home - Matthew 8:20
d. But he made us rich - II Corinthians 8:9
5. Let us remember the humiliation and poverty of the Lord of lords on the day he died as they divided his garments into four parts
E. Five Wounds
1. When Jesus was hung on the cross, nails were driven into his hands and his feet, four wounds
2. Later a spear was used to pierce his side to make sure he had died - John 19:34
3. Five wounds - John 20:25
4. Jesus’ body was broken for us. His flesh was torn and his blood was shed.
5. Hebrews 10:20 - We enter the holy place through the veil of Jesus’ body
a. Why veil? Because it was torn when Jesus died - Mark 15:38
6. So let us remember that five wounds show us that Jesus died - I Corinthians 11:24-25
F. Six Hours
1. Crucified on the third hour - Mark 15:25
2. He died on the ninth hour - Matthew 27:45-50
3. During those long hours
a. To fight for a breath meant pushing his legs down against the nails to lift his body up.
b. He was mocked and derided - Mark 15:29-32
4. Remember that this wasn’t a quick death. Jesus hung between heaven and earth for six hours.
G. Seven Sayings
1. Luke 23:34 - His concern about even the wicked
2. John 19:26-27 - His concern for those he loved
3. Luke 23:43 - His concern for those who repent
4. Mark 15:34 - His agony
5. John 19:28 - His humanity
6. John 19:30 - His deity
7. Luke 23:46 - His trust in God
III. We remember as the centurion concluded - Mark 15:39
A. As you partake, perhaps this lesson will help you focus on the significance of what it is we are remembering.
Borrowed from a lesson by Kevin Cauley
