In Remembrance of Christ
Scripture
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 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.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23–26).
Reflection
Paul’s familiar words in 1 Corinthians 11 are those we hear in Communion and in services leading up to Resurrection Sunday. Their message continually speaks to our hearts in profound ways as we remember Jesus’ death on the cross. The Communion elements help us revisit a sacred remembrance of Jesus’ body and blood sacrificed for us.
Jesus broke the bread and shared it with his disciples saying, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” That night he was with them whole and healthy, but soon, his body would be broken, broken for them and for whoever would believe in him. All those who would come to partake of him, the Bread of Life, would never go hungry (John 6:35).
After supper Jesus took the cup saying, “This is the cup of the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” Together, they shared the cup, and within hours, Jesus’ blood would be poured out. He would suffer outside the city gate, on Golgotha, to make people holy through his own blood (Hebrews 13:12).
This was God’s plan from the beginning, and of his own accord, his beloved Son would fulfill the will of the one who sent him. With his body and blood, he would atone for sin and purchase the salvation of all those who would come to him—and whoever came, he would never drive away.
As we reflect on this passage in 1 Corinthians, let us remember the price our Savior paid for us, and let us continue to proclaim the deliverance and freedom that is ours in him. Let us live out the message of the gospel.
Prayer
With thanksgiving, we remember your death on the cross and what it purchased for us, Lord Jesus. As we journey with you through your passion and then celebrate your resurrection, we lift up our brothers and sisters living in the hard places of the world who must remember and celebrate without safety, and even in secret. Please give them courage and joy as they too seek to remain faithful in remembrance of you. Amen
2024 Lenten Journey
Adrian Brown