In
Chapter 22, beginning with verse 17, Luke records, "After taking the cup,
he gave thanks and said, 'Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I
will not drink again 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, given for you; do this in remembrance of me."
"In
remembrance of me" can be translated or taken in the context to mean
"In Memory Of." Now this is certainly a term that I find relatable.
Having worked in the funeral business for over twenty years, I've had many
"In Memory Of" moments. Times of rejoicing and times of tragedy. You
can do something "In Memory Of" someone who is dead. But as it
relates to Jesus, there is a problem. Jesus is not dead, He is alive!
The
word idea or implication of the "Remembrance" or "Memory"
as it relates to Jesus is (now get this!): participating presently in a past
event.
Huh?
What did you just say? Well you and I were not there that night in the upper
room. The disciples were and they physically participated. We cannot do that.
But wait! Yes we can. How is that possible? If you are a believer, then Jesus
lives in you. There is the spiritual experience of communion with Him. Which in
itself is far more intimate than just the physical.
Paul
poses two questions and a statement to the church in Corinth, and they can help
us understand this concept. "Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we
give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that
we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we,
who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf." (1
Corinthians 10:16-17) “The one loaf of bread, of which all partake, pictured
their unity as members of the one body of Christ.” (Walvoord, J.F., Zuck, R.B.,
& Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985) The Bible Knowledge Commentary.
