1 Corinthians 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. What are we to understand by this? I. NEGATIVELY. Not that it is transubstantiated. This error was broached by Damascene and ; opposed by a synod at Constantinople of 338 bishops, in the East; , Bertramnus, Johannes Scotus Erigena, and , in the West. The word was coined in the Lateran Council. This — 1. Is not grounded on Scripture. (1) Not on John 6:55. For this — (a) Was said before the sacrament was instituted (ver. 4). (b) Does not prove bread to be turned into Christ's body, but Christ's body into flesh. (c) Is to be understood spiritually (vers. 50, 51, 56). (2) Not on the text (see Genesis 41:26; Daniel 2:38; 1 Corinthians 10:4). 2. Is contrary to the Scriptures. When Christ said this there could be nothing but bread; for His body was not yet offered (see 1 Corinthians 10:16; 1 Corinthians 11:25; Matthew 26:20). 3. It takes away the nature of the sacrament, there being no sign. II. POSITIVELY. 1. "This is My body"; that is, the sign and sacrament of My body (see Genesis 17:10, 11; Exodus 12:11). 2. "Which was broken for you."(1) How broken? Bruised, pierced (John 19:33, 34). He suffered torment. (2) For what? (a) God our Governor has given us laws to observe (Genesis 26:5), and annexed promises and threatenings (Leviticus 18:5; Galatians 3:10-12). (b) Man has broken these laws (Psalm 14:1-3), and so is obliged to the punishments. (c) These punishments he cannot bear, without being entirely miserable (Matthew 25:46). Hence Christ, the Son of God, undertakes to bear them for him (Isaiah 53:4, 6). This He could not do, unless He became man. Neither must He be man only, but He must suffer (Hebrews 9:22). These His sufferings are the things represented by the bread and wine. (3) For whom? Believers (John 3:16). (4) What benefits bare we by these sufferings? It is only by them — (a) Our sins can be pardoned (Matthew 26:28). (b) God reconciled (Romans 5:1). Our natures renewed (Acts 3:26). Our souls saved (Hebrews 2:10; Hebrews 5:9).Conclusion: 1. Admire the love of Christ in dying for us. 2. Be always mindful of it. 3. Frequent the sacraments, especially appointed to put us in mind of it, but come preparedly. (1) Penitently. (2) Believingly. (3) Charitably. (Bp. Beveridge.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. |
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