We hold a memorial service for someone when they die. We take time to remember their life. Often we establish permanent memorials to perpetuate their memory.
Here Jesus gives us a perpetual memorial to remember His death:
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body."
Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them.
We memorialize the death of Jesus by Sunday observance of this sparse meal of unleavened bread and fruit of the vine. We remember His body and blood! His death on the cross for our sins!
But we also remember He is not dead. The One who died for us is alive! He arose!
And we have Him - not only in memory - but in living presence! With us every day!
As students in the company of our Teacher we are constantly reminded He is still here. He will never leave us.
And together with Him, our lives become a living memorial. A testimony to the power of what He accomplished in His death for us!
And now through His life in us!
Peter is in denial. Even if everyone else falls away, I won't... Yet we know he will. Jesus knows it, and warns him.
ReplyDeleteIn the garden in his deepest sorrow, Jesus warns the disciples again - watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. (MK 14:38)
Some people are a bit hard on Peter - he actually denies knowing Jesus. Three times. Yet he was at least close by - all the others had run away... even after the others had claimed the same as that of Peter.
But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." and all the others said the same. (Mk 14:31)
All the others said the same.
All the others ran, fled, abandoned the Teacher.
Maybe all were in denial...
Are we? Would we have been any different?
Are we any different?
In what ways do we deny him?
In what ways do we run away?
By our lifestyles?
By our doubts?
By our worrying about physical things more than spiritual things?
By our attitude toward service?
By our lack of listening?
Do we abandon Him for self?
For the busy-ness of life?
May we remember more, and turn away less!