Remember!

 

            When God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, the death angel passed over their homes bringing death to the firstborn of the Egyptians.  Later God established the Passover feast as a yearly reminder of their deliverance (Deut. 16: 1 – 3).  It was to be a time of remembrance. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that Christ instituted a new remembrance as He celebrated the Passover Feast with His disciples. 

            God knows that we have short memories, and without something to remind us, we often push aside even those good moments in our lives until something happens to remind us.  So, from the very beginning, He reminded us to “remember”.  “Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy” (Ex. 20: 8 NIV84).  “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm” (Deut. 5: 15a NIV84). “Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced” (I Chron. 16: 12 NIV84). “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth (Eccl. 12: 1a NIV84).

            Christ knew that without a constant reminder of the sacrifice that He was about to make for us, there was a very real danger that it might become a distant memory.  So, on that night as they celebrated the deliverance that God had brought hundreds of years before, He gave His disciples a way to remember the deliverance that He was about to bring, not just for them but for all of mankind. 

            He took the bread, representative of His body that was about to be beaten and broken and pierced for our sins.  With the cup, He ushered in the new covenant sealed by His blood that was about to be shed for you and me.  “Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22: 19b NIV84).  Such a simple ask but what power in those words.  Paul says it plainly: “For whenever you eat this bread or drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (I Corinth. 11: 26 NIV84).

            Jesus was the ultimate sacrificial lamb.  He paid the price for our sins, and He asks that we remember.  Remember that He left the splendor of Heaven to become a man.  Remember that He willingly laid down His life for His sheep.  Remember that He made a way where there was no way.  Remember that His gift is free to everyone who believes and that He expects us to share that gift with the whole world.  Remember that we have been bought with a price – His precious body and blood.  Remember!

Luke 22: 19 - 20

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