The Supreme Sacrifice
The sermon explores the significance of the Lord's actions in the Last Supper and the supreme sacrifice He made for humanity, emphasizing the new concept of priesthood and the plan of the ages.
G.W. North emphasizes the symbolic nature of the Last Supper, illustrating how Jesus redefined priesthood and sacrifice through His actions. He highlights that Jesus' breaking of bread was a profound example of voluntary self-giving, foreshadowing His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. North explains that while Jesus' sacrifice was once and for all, believers are called to make spiritual sacrifices in their lives. The sermon underscores the dignity with which Jesus faced betrayal and death, demonstrating that His actions were rooted in love and obedience to God's plan. Ultimately, the institution of communion serves as a reminder of this eternal sacrifice and the new covenant established by Christ.
Text
It was all symbolical; there was nothing sacerdotal or actually sacrificial about their actions as they sat at that table of love in communion with their Lord. Matthew was a Levite, but he gave no attendance upon priests fulfilling their duties at an altar that day; with his companions he was elected to become a priest of the New Covenant and his great High Priest was installing him with them into office. There was no doubt that by these things the Lord was introducing to them all a wholly new concept of priesthood. 'Do this', He said, 'in remembrance of Me, and broke the bread and gave it to them.
What He did was an example and exposition of voluntary self-breaking for the purposes of self-giving with a view to total self-distribution. The supreme sacrifice so soon to be offered was at that moment being tendered to them as their example. Presently they were to see Him give Himself up to those who should finally put Him to death; He even restrained Peter from fighting to prevent it. There was to be no resistance; He gave Himself. Treacherous betrayal, cowardly denial, brutal savagery, mock trial, false condemnation, cruel crucifixion and cold death must be suffered with dignity and take their toll, but none of these would find Him a reluctant slave forced to do things against His will. Whatever He felt about it in Himself, His act was love. He, the High Priest, did this, therefore all the priests must do the same. They could not make the reconciling sacrifice, but cannot live except they make the spiritual one.
Only once need the redeeming sacrifice be made; Jesus Himself only did it once. It was the final act in the end of the age of atonement by bloodshed for sin. Unlike men of old, or of His own generation, He never made the actual bodily sacrifice daily or even yearly, but once and eternally. Yet according to the plan of the ages He instituted the communion on the anniversary of the day when the feast which most nearly corresponded to it was originally established in Israel. No other day but this would have served the purposes of God -- He always does everything with absolute correctness in age-abiding affinity with truth.
Sermon Outline
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The Supreme Sacrifice
- The Lord's Example in the Last Supper
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The New Concept of Priesthood
- Voluntary Self-Breaking for Self-Giving
- The Supreme Sacrifice as an Example
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The Redemptive Sacrifice
- Made Once and for All
- Instituted on the Anniversary of the Original Feast
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The Plan of the Ages
- Absolute Correctness and Affinity with Truth
Key Quotes
“'Do this', He said, 'in remembrance of Me, and broke the bread and gave it to them.'” — G.W. North
“Whatever He felt about it in Himself, His act was love.” — G.W. North
“Only once need the redeeming sacrifice be made; Jesus Himself only did it once.” — G.W. North
Application Points
- As followers of Christ, we must make the spiritual sacrifice of self-giving and self-distribution, just as Jesus did.
- The redemptive sacrifice of Jesus is a one-time event that brings reconciliation to humanity, and we must live in accordance with this truth.
- We must follow the plan of the ages and live with absolute correctness and affinity with truth, just as Jesus did.