Evidence of the Testator's Death

Within his last will and testament, a man has provided specific directions regarding what is to be done, upon the event of his death, with those particular things and persons for which he was responsible during his life. Now the beneficiaries should not be surprised that, when the estate is to be settled, the executor might require evidence of the testator’s decease.

The LORD says, within the writings of Jeremiah (31:31-34), “Behold, … I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, … not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers …, which they broke. But this shall be the covenant that I will make …, says the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. … I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” The Hebrew writer recalls these words before he goes on to write (in 9:16-22) that “where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator lives. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood … and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, saying, ‘This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.’ Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. … And without shedding of blood is no remission.”

Every time we partake of and pass the communion cup, we are acknowledging our assent to the Lord’s proclamation that “This cup is the new testament in [His] blood, which is shed for [us]” (in Luke 22:20), for by partaking, we “do show the Lord’s death till He come” (I Corinthians 11:26). When we partake of and pass the cup, we thereby testify that the Testator has died. When we pass the cup, we “do show the Lord’s death” to one another, testifying, “He did die. Look here! This is His blood.” When we partake of the cup, we testify that the new testament is therefore in effect – specifically that God’s law is written in our hearts, He is our God, we are His people, our iniquities are forgiven, and our sins will be remembered no more by Him.