"I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on — until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom." Matthew 26:29
The Lord's Supper points forward — as well as back. It keeps the past in remembrance; we are to think of what happened nineteen hundred years ago. In this sense, the Supper is a memorial. But it is also a prophecy. Amid the mementos of sorrow — Christ pointed ahead to the dawn of our blessed hope. He lifted the veil and gave a glimpse of a fulfillment very glorious, beyond earth's shadows. Even the Holy Supper, as precious as it is — is but a faint picture of something far better.
The disciples would not have Jesus with them at the table any more. This was their "last supper" together. Henceforth, His place would be vacant on earth. But in telling them this, He gave them sweet comfort in the assurance that He would sit down with them again, by-and-by, not here — but in another kingdom. These words are full of luminous brightness. They tell us of a feast in glory, of which the Lord's Supper on earth is but the shadow. In the Revelation it is called "the wedding feast of the Lamb." So it will be a memorial, too, of Christ's death and love.
That night when the Master and His disciples sat down together in the upper room — a great sorrow hung over their hearts and His: for Him it was the shadow of His cross, with all its mystery of woe; for them it was the shadow of sore loss and separation. But the other side of the cloud, was very bright. Out of Christ's death — came blessed and glorious salvation; now in Heaven, Jesus sees of the travail of His soul, and is satisfied. Out of the brief separation — there came to the disciples an abiding presence of Christ which filled their hearts full. Jesus went away from them for a little time — that He might be with them forever. So out of these sad memories — came great joys!
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J.R. Miller (1840 - 1912)
Prolific author and pastor of Presbyterian churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois, Rev. James Russell Miller served the USCC as a field agent in the Army of the Potomac and Army of the Cumberland.J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia. J.R. Miller D.D.'s lasting fame is through his over 50 books. Many are still in publication.
James Russell Miller (March 20, 1840 - July 2, 1912) was a popular Christian author, Editorial Superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, and pastor of several churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois.
In 1857, James entered Beaver Academy and in 1862 he progressed to Westminster College, Pennsylvania, which he graduated in June, 1862. Then in the autumn of that year he entered the theological seminary of the United Presbyterian Church at Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Mr. Miller resumed his interrupted studies at the Allegheny Theological Seminary in the fall of 1865 and completed them in the spring of 1867. That summer he accepted a call from the First United Presbyterian Church of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. He was ordained and installed on September 11, 1867.
J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia.
Five years later, in 1880, Dr. Miller became assistant to the Editorial Secretary at the The Presbyterian Board of Publication, also in Philadelphia.