O Praise the Name (Anastasis)
First-century Galilean betrothal ceremonies are an incredible picture of the gospel. Bible scholar, Ray Vander Laan writes, “When it was time for a man and woman to marry, both fathers would negotiate the bride price, recognizing that the bride would be a precious loss to her family. Taking a cup of wine, the groom drank from it and offered it to the woman, symbolically saying that he wanted to make a covenant and would be willing to give his life for her. The woman sealed the engagement by drinking from the same glass. From that moment, she was referred to as one who was ‘bought with a price,’ distinguishing her as an engaged woman. The groom then returned to his father's house and built new rooms, adding on to the family insula.”
At the Last Supper, Jesus took a cup of wine in His hands and told His disciples, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” Vander Laan explains, “By using betrothal imagery, Jesus said, in effect, ‘I love you as my bride, so I'll pay the bride price. I'll give up my life for you and to go my Father's house to prepare a place for you. And one day I will return and take you to be with me forever.’ Writing to the Corinthians, Paul used the bridegroom picture as well: ‘You are not your own; you were bought at a price’. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) His words reminded Jesus' believers that they were his brides-to-be, waiting for the day when he would return and take them home.”
Similar to the way baptism is analogous to getting married, the Lord’s Supper is also designed to function like a renewal of your betrothal vows to Jesus until He returns. Thus, in taking the Lord’s Supper, we not only renew our unconditional commitment to Jesus and His Church, but also remember that He is coming again to set all things right and transform us to be like Him, eternally communing with our heavenly Bridegroom. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are not just symbols; they are as serious as marital vows, and with them we pledge our loyalty to the victorious risen Lamb who is coming again to bring us to Himself.
I love the song, O Praise the Name (Anastasis), because it hits on each truth we are to remember when taking the Lord’s Supper. I cast my mind to Calvary, where Jesus bled and died for me. Then on the third, at break of dawn, the Son of heaven rose again. He shall return in robes of white, the blazing sun shall pierce the night. And I will rise among the saints. My gaze transfixed on Jesus’ face. O praise the name of the Lord our God!
The next time you take the Lord’s Supper, or the next time you sing ‘O Praise the Name’, take the time to recommit yourself to your heavenly bridegroom: Jesus Christ our returning King!
Grace and peace,
Phil
1. Ray Vander Laan, “No Greater Love,” https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/nogreaterlove.
2. ibid.
