Do you remember?
I think that it is a question that we should ask ourselves everyday.
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I can imagine myself sitting with the eleven apostles the week after Holy Week, call it "Depression Week".
It's been a week since they had entered Jerusalem with Jesus, to the cheers and adoration of many people. The high of that day is a distant memory.
It's been a week since they ate their last meal with Him, the Man they had followed and lived beside for the past three years. That evening is etched into each of their minds. How did none of them understand the foreshadowing in Jesus' words?
It's been a week since one of their own had turned out to be a traitor. How did none of them see past his charm? Why didn't one of them stop him?
It's been a week since none of them could stay awake to pray beside the Man that they so loved. That fact will forever shame them all.
It's been a week since they had all abandoned Him, and then watched as He was killed.
It's been a week, and they are in hiding, afraid that someone will find them and kill them like they did Him.
Now, I can imagine this scene. I can imagine them sitting in hiding, waiting till things cool down in Jerusalem; mourning the loss of their friend, leader and teacher.
But, what sticks out most in my imagination is this: in the midst of the somber mourning, one of the people in the room saying "Do you remember the time that Jesus scared us so bad, walking through the storm on the waters?"
And just like that, somber mourning turns to remembrance. The scene makes me laugh just thinking about it.
I can imagine Peter saying, "Remember when Jesus sneaked up behind me and jumped on my back? I body slammed Him over my shoulder without realizing it was Him! He was sore for two days!"
I imagine they would be rolling, remembering Him.
And that is the point.
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The night of the "Last Supper", Jesus brought His core group of fellows into the "upper room" to eat. It was a night much like any other that they had experienced.
They ate, and Jesus said (paraphrasing, of course) "Keep this up! When you sit down to eat together, remember what I've taught you. Remember the things you've done, and that I have done."
The church today has compartmentalized every aspect of relationship with God.
Communion is one good example of it. I don't think that Jesus had anything like modern communion in mind when He took the apostles into that room to eat.
The church has it all wrong.
Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against eating crackers and juice in church. I like a snack like everyone else.
But, making it into a facet of the faith, or some magic "erase your sins - get out of jail free card" is just wrong.
You can effectively serve God and have a vibrant, fruit-bearing faith and never once take communion.
--------------------------------------------------------------
I think Jesus was indicating something more intimate.
When you sit down to eat. When you gather to pray. When you sit down to reminisce. When you are hanging with your buddies. When you are worried. When you are thankful. When you are happy, sad, angry or mad.
"Remember me."
So, do you remember?
I think that it is a question that we should ask ourselves everyday.
---------------------------------------------------------------
I can imagine myself sitting with the eleven apostles the week after Holy Week, call it "Depression Week".
It's been a week since they had entered Jerusalem with Jesus, to the cheers and adoration of many people. The high of that day is a distant memory.
It's been a week since they ate their last meal with Him, the Man they had followed and lived beside for the past three years. That evening is etched into each of their minds. How did none of them understand the foreshadowing in Jesus' words?
It's been a week since one of their own had turned out to be a traitor. How did none of them see past his charm? Why didn't one of them stop him?
It's been a week since none of them could stay awake to pray beside the Man that they so loved. That fact will forever shame them all.
It's been a week since they had all abandoned Him, and then watched as He was killed.
It's been a week, and they are in hiding, afraid that someone will find them and kill them like they did Him.
Now, I can imagine this scene. I can imagine them sitting in hiding, waiting till things cool down in Jerusalem; mourning the loss of their friend, leader and teacher.
But, what sticks out most in my imagination is this: in the midst of the somber mourning, one of the people in the room saying "Do you remember the time that Jesus scared us so bad, walking through the storm on the waters?"
And just like that, somber mourning turns to remembrance. The scene makes me laugh just thinking about it.
I can imagine Peter saying, "Remember when Jesus sneaked up behind me and jumped on my back? I body slammed Him over my shoulder without realizing it was Him! He was sore for two days!"
I imagine they would be rolling, remembering Him.
And that is the point.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The night of the "Last Supper", Jesus brought His core group of fellows into the "upper room" to eat. It was a night much like any other that they had experienced.
They ate, and Jesus said (paraphrasing, of course) "Keep this up! When you sit down to eat together, remember what I've taught you. Remember the things you've done, and that I have done."
The church today has compartmentalized every aspect of relationship with God.
Communion is one good example of it. I don't think that Jesus had anything like modern communion in mind when He took the apostles into that room to eat.
The church has it all wrong.
Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against eating crackers and juice in church. I like a snack like everyone else.
But, making it into a facet of the faith, or some magic "erase your sins - get out of jail free card" is just wrong.
You can effectively serve God and have a vibrant, fruit-bearing faith and never once take communion.
--------------------------------------------------------------
I think Jesus was indicating something more intimate.
When you sit down to eat. When you gather to pray. When you sit down to reminisce. When you are hanging with your buddies. When you are worried. When you are thankful. When you are happy, sad, angry or mad.
"Remember me."
So, do you remember?
