Day 5 :: Remember Me
Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take and eat it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Matthew 26:26-30
It’s an emotionally charged evening. Within hours you know you’re going to be beaten to an inch of your life. This beating will only be a warmup before enduring most barbaric and humiliating execution. You’re having a meal with twelve of your closest friends. You want to leave them something to remember you by. This is the perfect time to do it. Unfortunately, one of your closest friends has left the gathering (John 13:30) to betray you for money. The tension is mounting. You could cut it with a knife. You’ve faced rejection and will soon face suffering and death.
This is how Jesus celebrated the Passover Feast.
As Jerusalem was buzzing with Jews celebrating, Jesus had other things on his mind. While the cross was looming, the Lord took two elements from the Passover meal, unleavened bread and the cup of wine. The bread, a symbol of His body being broken. The cup, a symbol of His blood being shed for the forgiveness of sins. He was on the verge of giving His life as a ransom for many in the most brutal way.
Yet even with his mind thinking of His upcoming suffering and death, he had thoughts of his future kingdom. In verse 29 Jesus talks of drinking the fruit of the vine again with his disciples in his kingdom. This kingdom will be established because of his sacrifice at the cross. The Lord knew horrific suffering was on the horizon, but he knew it wouldn’t end there as he would rise from the grave, ascend into heaven and will return again for his own.
At the end of the meal, verse 30 tells us they sung a hymn and went to the Mount of Olives. The hymn they would have sung would have been Psalms 116-118 from the traditional Hallel. Imagine this scene. The Lord is moments away from meeting his executioners, however, he is able to sing praises to God in the face rejection, suffering and death. Why? he knew the future was secure.
For all of us who are in Christ and partake of in the Lord’s Supper, we will have a place in that future kingdom. Each Sunday, we remember him and the great sacrifice he paid for our sin, guilt, and shame. Yet like the Lord we can look forward to that great day when we shall see him, and we shall be like him.
We will never experience the suffering that Jesus endured, but that doesn’t mean life is easy. Life is tough. The Christian walk is one long, hard slog. It’s never plain sailing, but comes with many trials, hardships and pain. Yet we can look to the example of Jesus. Even though the cross was hours away, he could sing praises to God. He knew his upcoming death wouldn’t be the end.
We also can face the hardships of our lives knowing our future is secure. “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Cor 4:17). We can sing praises to God in the storms of our life knowing one day we will see Jesus. We will see those nail pierced hands and feet. We will see that scarred side and we can enjoy eternal rest in his presence.
What a future. What a joy. What a hope we have in Jesus!!
Further reading: In the light of Christ’s rejection, suffering and death why don’t you take time today to read Psalms 116-118 and see how they take on new meaning.
Passages to read: Matthew 26:26-30, Mark 14:22-26, Luke 22:14-23
A thought to remember: No Matter what a day throws at us, we’re going to see Jesus.
A question to ask: What difference does it make to our every day difficulties knowing we’re going to spend eternity with Jesus?
A song to sing: In Christ Alone