In Remembrance Of Me

As my husband and I just returned from several weeks in South America, I will keep this devotion to a few brief thoughts from my reading leading up to Easter.

There are numerous jokes about forgetfulness. Earlier today I walked into our laundry room with some purpose in mind, but in the dozen or so steps from our kitchen to the laundry room, I forgot what that purpose was. I regularly write lists and add reminders to my digital calendar because my brain doesn’t remember it all. Some of the things we forget aren’t that important like why I went to the laundry room (it was to get a can of peaches from the pantry), but there are many important things we do need to remember.

Paul Tripp often uses the word amnesia in connection to spiritual truths we forget. He’s right. So often I start my mornings with prayer and devotion, but by the time I shower, I’ve already forgotten the truths I read or the things I talked with God about. We can know what Scripture says, but when a crisis hits us, we forget God and look to other people and things for help, security, and comfort. We read in Scripture who we are in Christ, and yet we forget and listen to who the world tells us we are or where to find our value. In our sin, we forget the Gospel either excusing, denying, and ignoring our sin or being overcome with guilt. We forget our Savior who suffered and died in our place for our sin (seriousness of our sin) so that we can now come boldly to the throne of grace to find the mercy and grace we need.

Spiritual amnesia is not a new thing. Read Luke 22:14-34.

14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 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.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” 23 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.

24 A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

28 “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, 29 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.” [1]

There is so much we could unpack from these verses, but I want to focus on the idea of remembering. This is probably a familiar passage to most of you. I would love to go into more details of all the symbolism in the Passover meal, but let’s zero in on one main point. Jesus wasn’t merely having a farewell dinner with His disciples or even simply celebrating one of the Jewish feasts. Jesus was revealing to his disciples that He was the Passover Lamb. He was the Messiah. It was His blood that would be shed so that they would have eternal life. My few words can’t convey the enormity of what Jesus was communicating.

Jesus instructs the disciples to take the bread and the cup in remembrance of Him. Jesus is talking about what we now refer to as the Lord’s Supper or communion. We take the bread and drink the cup to remember Jesus’ finished work on the cross, but as I read this account, I couldn’t help but think how quickly we forget all the things of God. Again, think of the enormity of what Jesus was sharing with His disciples. Now go back and read verses 21-23.

Granted, this is shocking news. One of the twelve will betray Jesus, but the disciples, in what seems like a heartbeat, have forgotten what Jesus just told them. He is the Passover Lamb. He, in the very near future, will shed His own blood, give His very life, suffer, and die for sinners. He will take the punishment, the full wrath of God in our place. The disciples friend, the one they knew was the Messiah is going to die, but how quickly they forgot Jesus and focused on themselves and each other.

The very next thing that Luke records is a dispute among the disciples as to who was to be regarded as the greatest (vs 24). Then Jesus brings more disturbing news. Peter says He is ready to go with Jesus to prison and to death, but Jesus informs Peter that Peter will deny Jesus three times before the rooster crows. Peter who loves Jesus will soon deny Him. Both of these are far from remembering Jesus and particularly that He is going to suffer and die.

When Jesus goes to the garden to pray knowing that He will soon be taken into custody, He asks the disciples to pray. Jesus is in such agony as He prays that He sweats blood, but a stone toss away the disciples are sleeping (vs 39-46).

Then in Matthew’s account, as Jesus is arrested, we read, “Then all the disciples left him and fled” (Matthew 26:56b). Their fear of man outweighed their fear of God. It’s like in that moment they forgot who Jesus was, and what His purpose was. They forgot that Jesus was worth going to prison for, worth dying for.

It might be easy to criticize the disciples for their forgetfulness, that in Jesus’ greatest hour of need, they did not remember Him. They thought of themselves. But remember how we started today? We are no different from the disciples. We too quickly forget Jesus as we go about our day. We forget to trust Him. We forget God’s Word. We forget who God is and what He has done. We forget the good news of the Gospel, but this is exactly what the Gospel is about. We fail, but Jesus did not. He was obedient even unto death. He never once forgot God. He never once forgot His identity and purpose. He never once thought of His own glory, security, or comfort above the Father’s glory. Because Jesus never forgot, when we do forget, God sees us with Jesus’ righteousness.

Reflection

1. How good are you at remembering Jesus throughout the day? Remembering in suffering? Remembering in rejoicing? Remembering when the world speaks lies?

2. List some specific things you can do to help you remember Jesus and God’s Word throughout the day.

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 22:14–34.