663. EXO 12:43, AND EXO 12:47. THE PERSONS WHO KEPT THE PASSOVER, TYPES OF THOSE WHO SHOULD …

Exo_12:43, and Exo_12:47. The Persons Who Kept the Passover, Types of Those Who Should Sit Down at the Table of the Lord

"And the Lord said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof," &c.’97Exo_12:43, and Exo_12:47.

In the previous discourse, we showed the peculiar and interesting character of the Passover, and its typical representation of our redemption by Christ Jesus. We wish now to call your attention to the persons who were to eat of the Passover; and you observe that the answer is contained, both negatively and positively, in the two passages I have read to you.

Now in this it was remarkably typical of the persons who ought to celebrate the death of the Lord Jesus, in the ordinance of the supper; and as such we shall apply it.

In doing so, let us,

I. Consider those divinely excluded from the Lord’s table, and the grounds of it.

II. Those for whom it is provided, and the duty and manner of observing it.

I. Those divinely excluded from the Lord’s table, and the grounds of it.

Now in the text it is said, "There shall no stranger," &c. Now the exclusion of the stranger was evidently grounded on several reasons, each of which will apply to the Lord’s Supper.

1. Want of knowledge.

No service can be pleasing to God which is performed in ignorance. So far from ignorance being the mother of devotion, it is the spoiler of devotion. It blights and destroys it. God is to be served intelligibly. Not only in spirit, but in truth. And the Israelites were instructed to state the whole grounds of the service to their children. See chap. Exo_12:26. Now ignorance of Christ and the doctrines of the gospel equally disqualify. We must know Christ before we can eat worthily, &c. Hence, a want of spiritual knowledge must exclude from the table of the Lord.

2. Want of faith.

A knowledge of Christ when truly experienced leads to faith in him; and this faith is essential to pleasing God in any duty, and was ever so. "Without faith," &c. All the ancients served God in faith. See a reference to the Passover: Heb_11:28.

Now the stranger to God and religion has no faith; and therefore it is a mockery for him to sit down at a religious ordinance.

3. Want of personal interest in the thing signified.

Religious services suppose always, that the spirit and heart are concerned’97that there is a personal interest in it. This is the very essence of all acceptable worship.

Now it was a deliverance for the Israelites, and they only were concerned; therefore, they only could feel an interest in it. Now, so, deliverance from sin by Christ, is only available to the believer. No unbeliever, as such, can be interested in it. The. unbeliever must perish. He has no lot nor part in the matter; therefore, he is appropriately excluded from the Passover in the one case, and the Lord’s Supper in the other. Now the stranger to the way of life, by ignorance’97the stranger to Jesus, by unbelief’97and the stranger to personal religion, in a carnal state, are excluded from the ordinance of the Supper.

Then notice,

II. Those for whom it is provided, and the duty and manner of observing it.

Exo_12:47. "All the congregation of Israel shall keep (or do) it." Now observe here,

1. It is for the Lord’s people.

For Israel under the law, and the disciples of Christ under the gospel. In the setting up of the ordinance, Christ administered it to his disciples. Mat_18:26. Then afterwards, when Christ’s kingdom was set up, and the Holy Ghost poured out, and the first church established, it is said, "Then they that gladly received his word," &c. Act_2:41. Hence, they had become disciples. See also Act_20:7.

Now Christ’s disciples are such as know and believe in him, and have an interest in his love and mercy.

2. It is for the congregation of the Lord’s people.

Exo_12:47, "The congregation." The assembly.

Now, congregation, or assembly, is the very idea contained in the word church. So that the Lord’s Supper is for the church, for all disciples; but to be observed congregationally. Hence the private administration of the Lord’s Supper has no precedent in the Scriptures: and is evidently a corruption of primitive Christianity. A thing done, to set forth the idea of sacramental efficacy. Now no such idea was connected with the

Passover. They knew it was but the sign’97it did not deliver, but God; and this was only a significant memorial of it. So in the Lord’s Supper, there is no saving efficacy. That is all in Christ, in the flesh and blood; and the Supper shows it forth, or exhibits it to the mind.

3. It is obligatory on the congregation of Israel.

"Shall keep it."

In the case of the Passover, it was preeminently enjoined. The authority of God given to it. Hear the announcement of it; Exo_12:3 and Exo_12:14. So also the Lord’s Supper. It is clear Jesus enjoined it on all the twelve, &c. It is clear, also, that the first Christian church so understood it. Act_2:1-2, &c. So the statement of the Apostle Paul evidently involves the idea, that it is to be a perpetual ordinance in Christ’s church, till his second coming. 1Co_11:23-26.

All ancient church history shows that this was an ordinance kept up by the early Christians; and also, that it was kept weekly. On the Lord’s day, they commemorated the wo great facts in the history of redemption’97the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus.

4. It was to be observed by the congregation, just in the manner God had appointed.

The Passover was to be observed at the exact time. By the precise persons, with the peculiar services. No addition’97no alteration. How equally so, the Supper of the Lord! It is to be the standing ordinance of the church. It is to be for all Christ’s disciples. The elements are to be preserved, both bread and wine; and the end kept in view, to show forth Christ’s death’97to keep up a memorial of it, and our faith in it; and grateful love for it, till Christ come again. Even the posture is important, &c.

Application

1. Let Christians feel and act up to their duty and privileges.

2. Expect from it and in it, spiritual growth and comfort.

3. Let sinners come to Christ, and then to his table.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS