There was once a time when the world knew not of its Savior. Yet there was hope because it had been foretold that a child would be born and called Emmanuel – God is with us. In Lent, we prepare for his coming anew. During this season, we discover for ourselves the call of salvation and the promise of eternal life.
It’s time to go. You’ve been with family sharing your love for one another, but now your time together is ending. You take one last look around, snap some pictures, maybe leave a memento of some type behind, and you say goodbye. You think of your time together and you want to be remembered.
The great man wanted this night to be special, to be memorable. This supper would be their last time together. So, he made plans:
“As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.” (Luke 22:10 – 12)
So there they were in this special place at this special time. The apostles who had followed him on this divine journey gathered with him to hear the final words of their Teacher. Jesus said to them:
“I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 22:15 – 16)
Still, they didn’t understand. Jesus had told them several times that he must suffer and die but would come again. This lesson was hard for them to comprehend. But even more than their lack of understanding, they were anxious and upset at the thought that Jesus would soon be leaving them. This was the man whom they had entrusted their lives and their faith, how would they go on without him?
Jesus saw their anxiety. He felt their sense of loss. To comfort and re-assure them, he took the bread that was at the table. He blessed the bread, divided it, and gave it to them saying:
“This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19)
He took the cup of wine, blessed it, and passed the cup, saying:
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” (Luke 22:20)
The food and drink we take daily merely fills us for the moment and perishes in short order. Jesus Christ gave his body and blood so that we can be filled with eternal life in God’s kingdom. He is real food and real drink. And so, when we gather together for meals, think of Jesus saying,
“Do this in remembrance of me.”
This is a memory you will keep forever.
These Gospel stories are re-imagined in the book series:
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