And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Luke 22:19
Remembrance isn’t a passive memory but a deliberate and purposeful recalling. Jesus tells us to remember Him and we set an intentional time for that when we observe communion. What is it we are to remember?
The picture of the bread being torn signifies the breaking of His body for us. Remember the sacrifice He made. He paid the high cost of our sin and He gave it freely so that we might have life.
As a communal meal, partaking the bread together, might there also be a picture to remind us of how we are all connected? We together have now become His body as the church.
But I wonder if there is one more piece being hinted at. Biblically, to remember is to take action. Communion, remembering Christ, is the catalyst to go forth in His name. It is a call to action for loving our neighbor and bringing the Kingdom – all with the knowledge that it involves self-sacrifice.
I remember Christ when taking the bread and wine. And I am remembering Him when I speak truth and hope to the hurting; when I sacrifice time, safety or possessions for others; and when I lay down my will for the Father’s. And we, the body, remember Christ when we come together in unity and bring the Kingdom to this world.
Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done. Luke 22:42
