And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19
I love this quote by Jesus. HE is reminding his team that HE is offering His physical life in service and sacrifice for them all. HE is going out as the Lamb being sacrificed in atonement of their sins. Like John the Baptist indicated, Jesus is the Lamb of God designated to take away the Sin of the world.
HE is simply asking them that every time they eat the bread to remember HIM.
Yes, we can debate all the various symbolism. The Jewish Passover meal is eaten only once a year. It is to remind the Jewish people of their ancestry. How the eldest son was spared their life by posting blood outside the doorpost. And the story of them fleeing Egypt to escape from slavery. That event is a religious moment. But now under a new covenant Jesus simply changed the objects of focus from a lamb to Himself.
But the impact this Scripture hits home is much more for me. HE is asking us to remember HIM. Not any one act or event. But to remember Jesus the person. Not just for all HE did. But for all HE IS.
When we focus only on one event that Jesus partook, we limit HIM. Why? Because HE is the sum total of everything HE did and didn’t do. Plus yet to do. No one act defines HIM. Everything HE ever does is simply the outcome of WHO HE IS.
So when we drink the wine and eat the bread, what are we to recall about Jesus?
In short order this is the Jesus that I have come to know.
First, HE IS ALIVE. HE is living out the Triune God’s strategic plan for humanity. The hiccup of sin has been displaced. The Holy Spirit is now more active than before.
HE is my Lord, Savior, Hero, Friend, and Brother. HE is not a historical memory. But a very influential person active in life.
Everything HE did was for me. And you. And for every person who ever lived.
HE also did everything to please HIS God and our God. His Father and our Father.
HE is the central-core that communes us all together.
Yes, bread and wine were the staple food items at most Jewish meals in Biblical time. Now Jesus asks us to remember HIM when we partake of these basic food elements. But in our culture and time, most families rarely eat bread and wine at meal time. But we do eat. So now when I pray over a meal, it means more than thanking God for the food. It is a time to reflect on HIM. Who HE IS. Why HE is important for humanity to know. I am most grateful for everything HE has done. Is doing. And yet will do. That HE is coming back to fully restore HIS Kingdom on earth. Also we can share life with HIM now as HE shares HIS life with us. A relationship HE initiated before the foundation of the world.
Isn’t HE One person worthy to remember and invest time with each day? Is it not great HE left us a daily reminder to talk about HIM during meal time? A time when family and friends can share the day’s events with HIM.
Rooting For You in Christ!
Dr. Mike
Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler
“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)
Books By Dr. Mike:
- Power Up With Jesus – Aspirations Rooted in Jesus Christ!
- The Adventurous Journey of Transformation in Christ
- Overflowing Prayers Rooted in Jesus Christ v1 & v2
- Dancing With God: A Life-Giving Worldview
- Great Business Emulates a Good God
- Stay Free…Avoid Worldly Traps
- Simply The Messenger
- Unequally Married
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