What Do We Remember of Jesus?

What Do We Remember of Jesus?

Good Morning Friends,

Most great memories last only a generation or two but in today’s text we are prompted to remember something from generation to generation forever.
That means remembering something beyond the palm crosses we have made in celebration of King Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. It means remembering something beyond our choir’s singing. No the focus is to be on Jesus and the celebration. And we are not only to remember Him, but take him all in. Interestingly, the name of the person who hosted the party in today’s text…the person who set the stage for this celebration of remembrance has been lost to history. Jesus obviously trusted him but we do not know his name. Anonymity has its purpose for perhaps the donor knew more than the disciples. So today we contemplate the importance of Jesus entering Jerusalem and having a meal. But today we also draw closer to Passion Week with a much bigger story to be told. So I listen as creation remembers Jesus, even as I ask, What Do We Remember of Jesus?

Scripture: On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal. When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.” Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.” While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “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. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you.” Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And so said all the disciples.

Matthew 26:17-35 (NRSV)

Message: There was a sense of urgency in Jerusalem on that Palm Sunday 2000 years ago. Jesus was ending his earthly ministry but starting something that would extend out to all creation. He had just entered the city riding upon a donkey as people threw and waved palm branches in his path. He was welcomed and praised as a conquering hero. But even then the draw to the cross was inevitable. So too we are drawn to the center point of all History. This place where the Body of a man…the body of God is broken so that creation itself might be reformed… here we discover that Christ’s separation was intentional….that Jesus died on purpose. Listen to the call of His words of preparation, purging, partaking and promise as we too might drink deep and eat with a desire and in urgent remembrance now and in the life to come. Listen and remember so we too might proclaim that surely Jesus is the Son of God….that someday in the celebration of the coming kingdom Jesus will say…I remember you…we shared a meal. And so we remember in the hope that someday in the life to come we can thank that certain man who died on the cross as well as that certain man who made the preparation for the last supper.

Pray we realize that we are to celebrate in the appointed time of Jesus. Pray we rejoice that the name of Jesus is not a forgotten name. Pray we rejoice that God became flesh. Pray we remember the urgency of a worship experience where music, prayer and teaching comes together in a spiritual meal. Pray we remember Christ at the table of grace.

Blessings,

John Lawson