Memories

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when 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 also he took the cup, 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. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 ESV).

I always love reminiscing as I browse through old picture albums and mementos of days past. So much has changed through the years, and, yet, so much has remained. Our reading today simply encourages us to “remember.” It is a call to remember something very specific and very special. The cross event was so much more personal than a mere crossroads of history. This singular event makes the difference between life and death for millions of people. Most of us cherish memories of things and people past. We love to remember happy times, favorite places, vacations we took, laughter we shared, or hobbies we enjoyed with others. This is the command Paul reiterates from Jesus. He wants us to cherish His death. That’s almost odd, isn’t it? It is strangely beautiful. Rather than asking us to remember happy things we could only know second-hand from reading Scripture, Jesus opens his picture album and shows us His death. It is significant in that it for us, in whatever age we live. In a sense, we transcend time because we were there in the betrayal as far back as Eden. We were there in spirit the night Jesus was betrayed. We were alongside those shouting, “Crucify Him!,” not knowing what we were doing. Yet, we share in the inheritance. It is an inheritance of sinners though. We should make no mistake about that truth. But followers of Christ also share in salvation’s beautiful hope by the blood of the Lamb: His death for us. So, Jesus calls us to communion with Him as we remember His death. In the Garden of Eden, we took and ate and received separation from God. In the Passover, Jesus says, “Take and eat” and by the New Covenant in His blood, He restores us to fellowship with our Father. Unlike some pilgrimage to a distant holy site, this coming home to our Father is inward. We transcend our generation through a timeless fellowship meal during which we proclaim Jesus’ death. It’s a spiritual pilgrimage to the heart where His death whispers salvation to all who hear and believe. What an amazing remembrance! How’s your memory today? Spend a little time leafing through the wonder of His redemptive act on your behalf today.