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God often appointed standing memorials to perpetuate great and extraordinary events. Aaron's rod and the pot of manna; the stones taken from Jordan; the Passover, etc. And the apostle tells that the Lord's Supper was appointed to commemorate not Christ's birth, temptation, etc., but His death.

I. WHY THE SACRAMENT WAS DESIGNED TO COMMEMORATE CHRIST'S DEATH IN PARTICULAR. Because —

1. It was the most striking scene that ever took place with respect to Him or any other being. It was rendered so by many singular circumstances.

2. It was the strongest expression of His marvellous love to this sinful and perishing world. "Greater love hath no man than this," etc. But Christ suffered death for sinners, and that in a most painful and humiliating way.

3. It alone made atonement for the sins of the world, and laid a foundation for the pardon and salvation of all penitent, believing sinners. All Christ did before His death, and all He has done since, and all He ever will do hereafter, depends upon His death, and without it would be of no avail.

II. REFLECTIONS.

1. This exhibition of a crucified Saviour is a solemn address to our understandings, and calls for our most serious and fixed contemplation upon the most glorious truths which can employ the minds of heavenly intelligences.

2. This significant ordinance addresses your hearts, as well as your understandings, and calls for the most grateful affections to the Father and Son.

3. As the ordinance reminds you of Christ giving Himself for you, so it equally reminds you of your obligations of renewedly giving yourselves to Him.

III. IMPROVEMENT. Since the sacrament was appointed to be a memorial of Christ's death, then —

1. Christians with good reason experience much comfort and derive much benefit from it.

2. Those who never find any satisfaction in it have reason to fear that they are enemies to the Cross of Christ.

3. None are duly prepared to observe it who do not cordially approve of the vindictive justice of God. It was this which rendered the death of Christ necessary, and. which it was the design of His death to display.

4. It is of great importance to maintain this sacred ordinance. The continuance of the Christian religion in the world greatly depends upon the continuance of the memorial of Christ's death.

5. If the sacrament be a standing memorial of Christ's death, then we may see how little the gospel is prized by the great body of the Christian world.

(N. Emmons, D.D.)

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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.