Scripture: Hebrews 11:9-10 “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”
1. Like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we are presently pilgrims. To ‘sojourn’ means ‘to live as a stranger.’ He lived in a tent, not a permanent house! He didn’t even have a grave, “And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her. And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying, I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight,” Gen 23:4.
“And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child,” Acts 7:5.
2. However, Abraham was looking for a city. The word ‘looked’, V10, means ‘waiting in expectation’.
Note its permanence – ‘foundations’! Note its architect and builder – ‘God’! A great city built by God.
“For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come,” Hebs 13:14 (‘continuing’ = that which lasts);
See Revelation 21:2-8 – Eternal state.
3. We must never set our eyes on the things of this earth. But like Abraham, look for that which God has promised to us. Col 3:1-2; Rom 8:6; 1 John 2:15-17; Psalm 49:11-17.
4. When we consider the beauties and splendours of this earth, how glorious will be this city, our future eternal home! Nothing in time truly compares to it!
Tonight I was asked to speak at the mid-week prayer meeting in Kilskeery FPC. I spoke on 2 Chronicles 20:10-12.
Scripture: “And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not; behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit. O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.”
I felt that I would like to share our few comments with you for I felt greatly an unburdening of my heart.
John does not give us the details of the first communion feast as do the other gospel writers. Instead, he gives us details of that event that the others do not.
Chapter 13:1-2 indicates, I believe, that we are here brought to the time when the Saviour instituted our Communion Feast. For details of the exact format of that feast, we must consult the other gospel writers and Paul (1 Cor 11:23-34).
However, what follows in chapters 13-17 are events that all took place at that special time of fellowship between Christ and His apostles just before His trial and crucifixion. 18:1 confirms this I believe.
This being so, perhaps we could observe:
I. THE COMMUNION FEAST WAS A TIME OF INSTRUCTION.
What wonderful things are contained in the chapters 13-17!
1. It is so clear that the Saviour would have us instructed in His eternal purpose and will. Ignorance is not of God. He would have us informed of His eternal purpose. The whole Bible is written for that purpose, Psalm 119:105, 2 Peter 1:19.
2. Intimate fellowship with Christ is the means of instruction. He is the Great Teacher. Nicodemus was correct in this point, John 3:2. See 14:21, 23.
3. It was a place of plain speaking. 16:29. If only we had hearts and ears to hear and understand! Luke 24:25-32.
II. THE COMMUNION FEAST WAS A TIME OF HOPE.
Today we do not only have the wonderful events of the cross before us but also that future day when the Saviour will return. This is a feast of HOPE.
“For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come,” 1 Cor 11:26.
1. Christ explained what He would be doing after His ascension. 14:2. The word ‘prepare’ means ‘to make ready’! Same word as Matt 22:4. As the Saviour has perfectly prepared the feast of the gospel, even so will He ‘make ready’ heaven for His people.
2. Christ assured His apostles of His return. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also,” 14:3.
3. Christ assured His apostles of the presence of the Holy Spirit while He is away. 14:16-18. The Saviour is present with us today in and by his blessed Spirit. “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you,” verse 18.
III. THE COMMUNION FEAST WAS A TIME OF COMFORT.
The 5 chapters which record this time of fellowship contain so much blessed comfort for the child of God.
1. We can expect an increase of knowledge as we continue with the Lord. 13:7. Sometimes we have to wait in faith before we obtain an understanding of God’s dealings with us!
2. We learn that often treachery hides under a very convincing mask of profession! 13:18-27.
3. We learn that God’s purpose to glorify Himself through His Son will take place. 13:31-32. These words were spoken just after Judas left to betray the Lord Jesus.
4. We learn of our own weakness and failures! 13:37-38. Like Peter, we do not believe that we are capable of such sin, but we are!
5. We learn that the Saviour is praying for us. 16:33-17:1. This table reminds us of the terrible spirit of the world! It crucified the Lord Jesus, Acts 2:23. 1 Pet 4:12-14.
How many other lessons we could glean from the chapters 14-17 but time forbids us. Please read these chapters and note the instruction given.
Let our gathering today be no ritualistic, mundane assembly but a time of conscious fellowship and true spiritual communion with the Lord Jesus Himself!
May we say with those of old: “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” Luke 24:32.
