Day of Praise

Tuesday of Holy Week, 03/27/18, My Sweet Wife Amanda's Birthday, "Day of Praise"

Luke 22:19 - "And [Jesus] 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.'"

Yesterday, I saw my brother and me on a neighbor's front lawn, playing catch with a ball and gloves. Well, it wasn't actually us. But that seven year-old boy sure did look the height and build of my brother forty-eight years ago. He was tall and slender. And that five year-old boy sure did look like me. He was, well, not tall and not slender.

Isn't it amazing how we can see something, like kids playing, or smell something, like freshly cut grass, or hear a song, like Paul McCartney's "What the Man Said," and it takes us to a memory as if we are actually in that place in time and with those people that we shared those days?

That's what Jesus established in today's Bible verse, which took place a few days before Jesus's death and resurrection that we remember emphatically this Holy Week. Jesus established a memory. Jesus spoke of bread and how it would be a powerful memory tool when they ate the bread remembering Jesus.

The memory that Jesus established was very much like my seeing those boys playing ball and the flood of memories that spilled forth.

With one huge exception.

Jesus does not tell the disciples that it's as if he is there when they give thanks and eat bread in his memory. Jesus says that he actually is indeed there with them when they give thanks and eat bread in his memory. Note the words in the verse! "And [Jesus] 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.'" (Luke 22:19)

Friends, may you know Jesus's presence and his fellowship with you as you remember his great love poured out for you both on his cross, once and for all, and also when the fellowship of believers shares the gift of Holy Communion as many Christian congregations do on Sundays and on this coming Maundy Thursday of this special Holy Week.

Praise God!