“You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” (Luke 12:40)

In all my years of attending church services and hearing the Bible taught, I cannot remember hearing much said about the importance of worship as we await Christ’s coming. But it is clearly an emphasis in Scripture, just as important as occupying, purifying, and watching.

The biblical basis for my comments on worship is found in 1 Corinthians 11:23–26.

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. (NASB 1995)

How long are Christians to participate in worship? How long are we to gather around the Lord’s table and hold in our hands the elements that symbolize our Saviour’s body and blood? He tells us in the last three words: “until He comes.” Every time we worship around the Lord’s table, it is another reminder that He’s coming. One of these times will be our last time to observe it on earth. It’s kind of exciting, isn’t it? It will be our last spiritual meal on earth together. But until then, we are to worship the Lord Christ. Every meal at His table is another reminder that His coming is nearer. We worship Him with great anticipation.

Taken from Growing Deep in the Christian Life by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 1986, 1995 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. www.harpercollinschristian.com