The Last Remembrance Meeting

        The “Breaking of Bread” (often called The Lord’s Supper or Communion or Remembrance) is the distinctive, it’s the defining characteristic of an assembly. Remember that the Lord instituted this service as they were celebrating Passover. And Passover always involved the death of a lamb. There is no mention of “roast lamb” at the Last Supper. But, as Christians, we know that there was a Lamb there, and about to die.

        That first Breaking of Bread, as we would call it, was unique in many ways. Jesus was there in Person, with only the Eleven (after Judas left), while there were other believing men right there in Jerusalem, who could have attended, such as Nicodemus or Joseph of Arimathea, or Joseph Barsabbas or Matthias. There were, apparently, no women present. The day of the week was, by our reckoning, Thursday.

        It seems that the second Breaking of Bread occurred the very next Sunday (i.e., the first day of the week): “There they found the ‘Eleven’ and those with them, assembled together…Jesus himself stood among them.” (Luke 24:33, 36) The resurrected Christ appeared in their midst. But Thomas wasn’t there.

        The third Breaking of Bread happened on the following Sunday: “A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them.” (John 20:26) Again, Jesus appeared in Person, and showed them, including Thomas, His wounds.

        Again and again through the New Testament, the Lord’s people met on the first day of the week to Break Bread, to remember the Lord’s death, and to look forward to His return. Now they knew Him by faith, not by sight. See Acts 20:7, and 1 Corinthians 16:2.

        Down through the centuries, God’s people have continued this practice in some form or other, of memorial, worship, bread and wine, and anticipation. And for all these years it has still been “by faith not by sight.”

        So when will that last Breaking of Bread take place? When comes that final communion? I think it may be described in Revelation 5:6-14. There, again, is the Lamb from the Passover, the One about to be slain after the Last Supper, now slain but alive. He stands in the centre of the throne and all worship comes to Him— millions of angels, and every creature in heaven and on earth cry— “Worthy is the Lamb!”

        This is the last great Communion service, the last Remembrance meeting, because Jesus is now in the midst of His people in Person once again. He will never leave them! It is no longer faith alone, now at last, it is by sight!