Think About It…

Do This In Remembrance Of Me

Let us suppose that your best friend knows that he is about to die, and he has one special request.  Would you do it?  Would you follow through with his request?  “Of course we would,” we confidently state.  Likewise, when we remember an individual who we once knew, who is no longer with us, we sometimes say things like “this is what he would have wanted.”  Or “he would have wanted it this way.”  Such consideration for a loved one or close friend is truly admirable, and demonstrates how much we valued the life of the person we once knew.

How much more so should we value the life of Jesus Christ!  Are you aware that, shortly before Jesus Christ’s death, He had a special request?  It concerned what we were to do in remembrance of Him.  Note the following (emphasis added):

So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.  When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him.  Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”  Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”  And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”  Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:13-20)

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”  In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”  For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

This past Sunday, April 8, 2012, over one billion people celebrated the resurrection of Christ, by attending Easter services.  Disregarding what the scriptures clearly say, they remembered Jesus, but not in the manner or way in which He requested.  Yet, just a few days prior, shortly after sunset on the previous Thursday evening, April 5, 2012, a scant few actually heeded Jesus Christ’s request, and remembered Him the way that He wanted to be remembered, by observing the Passover service.

The Passover is a memorial of an event.  And just like the Memorial Day holiday in the United States, it is a once-a-year observance.  It is not intended to be kept or observed weekly, quarterly, or spontaneously. But unlike the Memorial Day holiday, where the many are remembered for the sacrifices they made for their one country, the Passover is a memorial of an event where the One is remembered for the sacrifice He made for the many – for all mankind.

It may be shocking to know that Jesus didn’t want us to keep Easter in remembrance of Him, or Christmas, or any other day with non-Biblical roots.  As the old hymn goes, “what a friend we have in Jesus.”  If Jesus truly is your friend, shouldn’t you want to follow through with one of His last requests?