We will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion in this Sunday morning’s (June 14) worship service. Each time we partake we are to fix our gaze squarely on the Lord Jesus Christ. In Question 174 of the Larger Catechism, the question is asked: What is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s supper in the time of the administration of it? The answer says (in part): It is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, that….(they engage in) earnest hungering and thirsting after Christ, feeding on him by faith, receiving of his fullness, trusting in his merits, rejoicing in his love…
So, part of our preparation for the Sacrament must be stirring up our affection for Jesus and strengthening our trust in Him.
One of my inner circle of dead friends is William Plumer (1802-1880). Dr. Plumer pastored several churches from Virginia to Pennsylvania and served as a beloved professor at multiple reformed seminaries. He authored commentaries on Hebrews, Romans, Psalms and dozens of other books. He is best known for making complex doctrines simple and understandable to laymen and even children. When Plumer was inaugurated as a Professor of Theology in 1854, he gave an introductory lecture entitled “Christ Is All in All”. Below is a snippet from this famous address that will help you prepare to come to the Lord’s Table on the Lord’s Day.
Well was it said of old, “It is better to die with Christ, than to reign with Caesar.” Exquisite suffering for him is better than exquisite enjoyment with the world. It is better to be a prisoner for him than a prince without him. To die in Christ is to fall asleep in Jesus, and go to be forever with the Lord. None can resist his power, overreach his wisdom, defeat his counsels, vanquish his hosts, pluck his chosen out of his hand, retard his chariot wheels, or subvert his kingdom. It is easy to make too much of men, of means, of instruments; but no man ever made too much of Christ. Implicit faith in man is the height of folly; in Christ, the height of wisdom. He is the ground of the faith and hope of all the saints. Their eyes are unto him. Their desires center in him. Their motives to holy living are drawn from him. Their sorrows are sanctified by him. Their joys are heightened, chastened, sweetened by him. In our love, confidence and obedience, he will admit no rivals. If he reigns not supreme, he is to us of none effect. One is our master, even Christ. Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. We are as much bound to believe that there is but one Mediator, as that there is but one God. 1 Tim. 2:5. In office he has neither predecessor, partner, nor successor – having none over him, none under him, none equal to him, none with him, none beside him. His grace alone, his blood alone, his righteousness alone, his intercession alone are sufficient for us. We need no other Saviour. None else can do us any good. To seek another is an attempt to defraud him of his crown and glory. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entered not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.” God will mercifully forgive all sin, whose remission is sought through atoning blood; but he will pour his most terrible curses on those, who attempt to supersede His Son in his rights as the Saviour of the world.
Devotion to Christ cannot be excessive. Many follow, and love, and serve, and trust, and praise him too little. But who ever praise, or trusted, or served, or loved, or obeyed him excessively? In some things it is easy to go too far; but where excellence is infinite, the bounds of moderation in love cannot be passed.
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