Remembrance or ritual

Remembrance or Ritual
Luke 22:19-20And 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 the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
Communion that Means Somthing
One reason the movie The Passion of Christ impacted so many Christians was that it portrayed Jesus’ suffering so vividly. As the Roman soldiers beat and ridiculed Jesus, our hearts broke at his pain. When he stumbled under the load of the cross, we wanted to lift it off his shoulders ourselves. As the nails pierced his hands and feet, they tore into our hearts. Many who saw the movie wept at the cruelty and injustice of the crucifixion.
Think back to the last time you took communion. What did you think about? Was it important to you or just a ceremony? Did you try to imagine the bread being Jesus body hanging on the cross? Did the color of the grape juice or wine remind you of Jesus’ blood running down his face and back as he bore the cross through the streets of Jerusalem?
Jesus established Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, as a reminder of the great sacrifice he gave in order for us to be saved. His red blood flowed because of our sin. His skin was flayed and his joints were literally broken apart so that we could be healed from our sin sickness. He instructed us to remember his sacrifice whenever we partake of Communion.
Next time you take communion, try to focus on Jesus’ sacrifice. Consider what it cost Him to make it possible for you to have salvation. Worship and praise him for suffering so much on your behalf.
Today’s Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for dying for me. I confess that I don’t think enough about what it cost you to give me forgiveness and right standing with God. I want to be more grateful. I want to honor your sacrifice by remembering your suffering. Please help me understand the significance of your death on the cross. Help me to truly take Communion “in remembrance of You.” Amen.
Written by Martha E Menne, Flagstaff Arizona