He Endured for Joy for Our Enduring Joy

The problem the Corinthians had during communion was their lack of love. Some of them had enough food for a meal, enough wine to get drunk (1 Corinthians 11:21). But they would not share their portions which was unacceptable for a remembrance about Christ who shared His body and blood.

Not everything is apples to apples between the holy day in Nehemiah 8 and the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper. They went to their homes to eat and fellowship, this meal happens all together.

But the command to stop their grieving because it was a holy day most certainly has significance for us.

For the joy that was set before Him Christ endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2). So what is Jesus’ view toward our remembrance of Him? His view is that He endured for His joy, which is joy that He knows and shares with us.

Can we say that the joy of the Lord is our strength but less so now? The bread and the wine are the fat and the sweet. This is a time to make rejoicing.

We do not forget our conviction of sin, but we are strong in song and in faith because Jesus rose from the dead just as He said. The tone of the Lord’s Supper, and really the tone of the Lord’s Day, should be the joy of the Lord. In His joy He gives us life and joy and strength in Him.