Dying to Live

This meal is the Lord’s Supper, but it is important to remember that the Lord’s Supper was also the Last Supper. This is Christ’s last meal before he was crucified. And Christ clearly instituted that meal to be eaten by his followers after him. This means that by eating this meal we are committing ourselves to die. We are committing ourselves to the cross. If you eat this last meal with Jesus, then you must be resigned to go to the cross with Jesus. This doesn’t mean that you have to die on a cross in order to save yourself from your sins. Jesus did that 2000 years ago. But Jesus said that if anyone would follow after him, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow him. This meal is for martyrs. Most of you will probably not be crucified, hung, or decapitated for your trust in Christ. But all of you must be willing to suffer in principle, and more importantly, you must be martyrs in the little things. Everyone wants to save the world, but no one wants to help mom with the dishes. You must be a martyr for Jesus in your work; you must be a martyr for Jesus at school. You must be a martyr for Jesus as you obey your parents; you must be a martyr for Jesus as you teach and train your children. This doesn’t mean being a pain in the neck around everyone until they start getting on your case. This means refusing to be ashamed of Jesus in all of life; obeying him, trusting him, and taking whatever lumps come along. You are eating the last supper of Jesus; you are committing yourself to the cross. But this is not a cause for sorrow or mourning, as though this were a pagan funeral. Our Lord rose from the dead on that great and glorious Day of the Lord, and all those who die with Christ will be raised just like Him. So come and eat, come and drink, come and die so that you may live.