From the Book, Rules For Life: According To Jesus

29. Remember Me 

[Jesus] took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.  

Luke 22:19-20

Personally, when I take communion I take a few moments before partaking and meditate on the crucifixion of Jesus. It‘s the same thing as having a moment of silence for those who have died on our behalf (think, Memorial Day).

I consider His slashed, bloodied, tortured body hanging on cruel splintery planks with nails holding him up. Every breath in that condition was a monumental task of pain and suffering, as He had to push Himself up by His pierced feet to catch a breath and slump back down into an unbreathable position. No doubt, the gashes on His swollen back, with its flaps of newly ripped skin, received splinters as He rose and fell against the wood. 

And why did He suffer so? He did it for me, personally. Yes, I am as guilty of putting Him there as the Romans who pounded the spikes through His wrists and feet (through the top of the left foot and out the heel of the right—His left foot over the right). I am as guilty as the Sanhedrin who forced Pilate to commit Him to death, after they beat Him repeatedly and ripped out His beard. 

That was my crown of shameful thorns that was placed on His innocent head and cruelly pounded into place by soldiers taking turns with a staff.

I remember all of this, holding a cracker and an ounce of juice in my hands, wishing that it were me who suffered instead of Him. I deserve such treatment. I deserve to die a horribly torturous death; but not Him. He did no wrong. It was my wrongdoing that put Him there—not because I deserve His mercy and sacrifice, but because He is just that good to me. He loves me just that much. I praise Him with all my might at that moment—many times with tears falling on the carpeted floor, or on my finer pants. 

At times, I fall on my knees in that moment and cry out to Him in my mind, if not aloud, and I bless Him with tears of gratitude and promises of servitude. 

Do I remember my Lord and His suffering on my behalf? I do. Does it stir me to action, so that His agony does not go wasted? Every time. 

Yes. I remember Him, and I forget all else in the process. I forget my ineptitude, my bent toward sinful thoughts and feelings (I must add, words and deeds). I forget the world with its empty promises and worthless rewards. I forget the wrongs committed against me by other fallen men. I forget my hatred, discontentment, and grudges. 

I remember that He will be waiting for me when I finally shed this skin suit, with all of its corruption and pain. And I hope that I will hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

I remember Him all day, every day, and I hope you do too.

Previous – Do not Oppose Brethren | Next – Be Merciful

Sections in this study:
Introduction
1: Repent
2: Be Born Again
3: Place God First
4: Love and Serve One Another
5: Live By Faith
6: Forgive Others
7: Remain in Jesus
8: Live Righteously Before Men
9: Avoid Bad Influences
10: Stay On The Narrow Path
11: Do Not Return Evil With Evil
12: Give More Than Is Demanded
13: Love Your Enemies
14: Check Your Motives
15: Pray Simply
16: Do Not Worry
17: Store Up Treasures In Heaven
18: Do Not Be Judgmental
19: Guard what is Sacred
20: Care For Those In Distress
21: Do Not Swear Oaths
22: Watch out for false prophets
23: Exercise Spiritual Power
24: Have Childlike Faith
25: Do Not Exalt Yourself
26: Settle Disputes Quickly
27: Settle Disputes Between Believers
28: Do not Oppose Brethren
29: Remember Me
30: Be Merciful
31: Make Disciples
32: Be Ready
33: Obey Jesus’ Commands
Closing Comments