In Remembrance

Reading: 1 Corinthians 11; Proverbs 28

23 For this is what the Lord himself said, and I pass it on to you just as I received it. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took a loaf of bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and you, sealed by the shedding of my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 NLT)

The dear Christians at Corinth were such a mess! Since the early days of the church, one of the key elements of their gatherings was to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. They ate this meal together to remember the Passover Meal at which Jesus had washed his disciples’ feet, and invited them into a New Covenant with God through his own body and blood. But the dear Corinthians had turned it into a party where some people got full and drunk and other people didn’t even get a crust of bread or a sip of wine!

Paul reminded them (and us!) of not only the celebration component of the Lord’s Supper, but also the equally important (or more important?) focus on remembering Jesus. Paul reminds us to remember that Jesus’ body was brutally broken on the cross for our transgressions and our un-wholeness. Paul reminds us that Jesus’ actual blood flowed down from his wounds to the ground to atone for the sins of all humans (our sins). Paul reminds us that when we joyfully, reverently, and soberly eat the bread and drink the wine, we are reaffirming our commitment to the New Covenant with God and with his people.

Friends, it’s good to remember Jesus! It’s good to remember why Jesus lived the way he lived and died the way he died! It’s good to remember that our sins and sinfulness were on him at the cross and that because of his sacrifice and our faith response, his righteous nature is on us and his righteous words and deeds can flow from us!

Prayer:

Father, Thank you for sending Jesus to live and die for us! Please help us to remember Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice for us and our covenant commitment to live and serve for him! For Jesus’ sake! Amen.