For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread … “This do … in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:23, 25–26 NKJV
This most remarkable request received from the Lord comes from the lips of the once-crucified Savior but now the risen and glorified Son of Man. It encompasses God’s thoughts concerning Him.
The apostle Paul had received this new revelation concerning the Lord’s Supper from the Man in the glory, the One who humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Phil. 2:5–8). The One who created the universe by His word and upholds all things by His power—this is the very One who stooped down as the dependent, obedient, lowly Man. Now from heaven, the glorified Son of Man, while still bearing the marks of His passion, reveals the deep desire of His heart: “This do … in remembrance of Me.” He is longing for a response from those whom He has redeemed by His precious blood.
We are reminded in the verse above that it was on the night of Christ’s betrayal that this supper was given to His redeemed people. In the world where Christ is despised and rejected, there is now a company of saints, cleansed by His blood, surrounding the Lord at His table to remember Him. The precious remembrance of Him draws out our hearts to offer sacrifices of praise and worship to the only One who is worthy—our Lord Jesus Christ. This holy privilege is ours now during His absence until He comes. He is longing for that day when He will return to take us to the Father’s house, and we long for that day too. But now, as we wait, let us thankfully proclaim the victory that Christ has gained by His death on the cross. He has indeed triumphed gloriously!