1 Corinthians 11:24, When He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take and eat. This is My body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.”
What kinds of things remind you of your loved ones? You could probably begin listing several of them without much thought. Is there an old saying your dad always used? Or perhaps a certain recipe that always makes you think of your mother. Do fresh tulips remind you of your sister? Memories are so powerful that that they can make it seem as if the people who give us those memories are right there with us, even if they’re far away. It is good to remember the ones we love.
As Jesus prepared for the cross, He wanted to give the apostles a way to remember Him. Yet He also wanted them to have more than just an assortment of memories or keepsakes. Yes, the healings were meaningful and His teachings were critical, but it was vital that His followers have a special ritual to remember the sacrifice He was about to make. After all, without that sacrifice and without His resurrection, everything Christ had done would have amounted to nothing more than great acts of kindness.
So Jesus gave them – and us – a way to remember. He gave them the Lord’s Supper: the breaking of bread and the drinking from the cup. After that, every time the people gathered to break bread, they would recall His body on the cross and the way He emptied Himself on their behalf. The bread and wine would always be a visual reminder of all He had given.
This Easter, take the time to remember Christ on the cross. Don’t be afraid to think on His sorrow, His groaning and anguish. Because they were His gift to us. To save us. To save you. It’s important to never forget the cost of salvation. Let’s live our lives in remembrance of Jesus, living as He lived.
