HOLY COMMUNION: REMEMBERING JESUS.
BIBLE PORTION:
Exodus 13:1-17
Matthew 26:17-30
1 Corinthians 11:20-34
BIBLICAL FOUNDATION:
1 Corinthians 11:24,25
INTRODUCTION:
The Last Supper is a new expression of the Passover feast and an event given to commemorate the deliverance of the people of Israel from Egypt. Remembrance is a complex structure found within the human brain. The absence of memories causes various problems for humans. Some even say, "Losing memory is a gift of God's grace." Memory loss occurs due to three factors.
The first reason is due to disease. The condition of memory loss is referred to as "amnesia." The second reason for memory loss is due to aging, where memories begin to fade. For example, elderly individuals may search for their glasses while they are already wearing them. Thirdly, when we fail to give importance to certain matters, it becomes difficult to retain those in our memory. However, the Last Supper is considered a very significant sacrament for us, and hence, we always keep it in mind. Yet, when we fail to remember the purpose of participating in the Last Supper and view it merely as a ritual, it loses its meaning and appears devoid of significance.
One of the accusations often made about reformed churches is that "everything there is purely ritualistic." It is said that even significant sacraments like the Holy Communion are treated merely as rituals, with participants taking part without reflecting on their true meaning. While this accusation may be false in many instances, it is also true in some cases. Therefore, let us reflect on what we should keep in mind when participating in the Holy Communion, even during such times.
1.REMEMBERING THE COVENANT (Matthew 26:28):
In this world, covenants are made for various reasons. It is common for covenants to exist between individuals and between nations. However, the covenant between God and humanity is of utmost importance and uniqueness. Why did the Lord Jesus Christ refer to His Last Supper or Final Meal as the "New Covenant"? If we reflect on this thought, we will understand how significant it is to remember the covenant during the Holy Communion.
The covenant God made with humans was established without crushing their self-respect. He considered humans as equals and made a covenant with them. Why did God make a covenant with humans? Why did He implement that covenant throughout history? It was solely for the well-being of humanity. God created Adam and Eve on this earth to live a good and sinless life. However, due to the sin caused by disobedience, God’s grand plan for humanity to live a blessed life was disrupted.
As sin increased, the world was destroyed by the flood. Yet, God hesitated to completely destroy humanity, which was created in His own image. Therefore, He chose Noah from among the people and made His first covenant with humanity, promising not to destroy them and to show His love toward them (Genesis 6:9-17). However, humans sinned again.
So, God chose Abraham from among them and made a covenant, saying, "I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies" (Genesis 22:17). This covenant continued through Isaac, Jacob, and beyond, across generations. After that the descendents of Jacob went to Egypt for livelihood and eventually slaves over there. When these people cried out for deliverance from Egypt, God performed a profoundly significant act in history: He delivered the Israelites from the bondage of Egyptian slavery.
Through the redeemed people, God intended to show the world what true well-being, a life filled with love, truly means. To achieve this, He made a covenant with humanity, which included the Ten Commandments. These commandments clearly outline how humans should not live in this world. In this way, God sought to transform human society, emphasizing well-being and liberation through the covenant. This covenant was refined and upheld without weakening over thousands of years. Ultimately, through His only Son, God established an eternal and unchanging covenant with humanity.
For whom? For what purpose? It is solely to enable humanity to be liberated from the bondage of sin that enslaves them and from societal oppression, so they can attain true well-being. Therefore, the "New Covenant" is not merely about eating bread and drinking wine. It is also about remembering what God has done for the well-being of humankind.
2.REMEMBERING THE SACRIFICE (Ephesians 5:2):
Though sacrifice and covenant may journey on different paths, their purpose remains the same. Both converge in the death of Jesus Christ. As stated in Leviticus 17:11, atonement for sin requires the shedding of blood, an undeniable truth. This is because blood signifies life, and that is the essence of the covenant. In the human body, life resides in the blood. When someone is involved in an accident or undergoes surgery, the first thing doctors request is blood. This is because only with blood can a life be sustained.
Similarly, to prevent us from sinking into evil thoughts and becoming entangled in sin, Jesus Christ shed His blood for us and redeemed us to life. We must remember this sacrifice. This is what Apostle Paul says in Romans 5:7-8: "Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.
8. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
CONCLUSION:
Dear people of God, through His death, Jesus Christ fulfilled both the covenant and the sacrifice. However, when we partake in the Holy Communion, we are not called merely to remember that sacrifice and covenant. Rather, we are invited to reflect on the redemption and well-being that we have received through that sacrifice and covenant. When we do so, the Holy Communion becomes a meaningful celebration of remembrance, honoring Jesus Christ. Amen!
©2025, I. Ananda Balakrishnan
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