Faith & Reflection: Voices from the Black Church and Beyond
Our call to remember God has moved all the way through Scripture, and today, we’ll end this aspect of our memory exercise with some New Testament passages. Emmanuel, God with us, has arrived on the scene in the person of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He lived in perfect righteousness, died for our sins, and rose victoriously from the grave. As he prepared to ascend back to the Father, he called his disciples (us included) to remember.
His eternal presence.
While in the Galilee during those final days, Jesus shared what we call “The Great Commission.” Included in this call to service is the call to remember.
“All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 CSB)
As he left his earthly abode, he wanted us to remember that he has not left us alone. Christ is always with us through the presence of the Holy Spirit that lives in all who believe. Not only that, but Christ himself, along with the Spirit, advocates constantly on our behalf. He’s on our side till the end, helping us to remain faithful and growing us into his likeness. We need to remember that.
His sacrifice on our behalf.
Not only are we to remember his presence with us, but we are to never forget the price Jesus paid for our salvation. It’s God’s free gift to us, but it did not come without a price. Jesus paid it. We benefit from it. The institution of the Lord’s Supper or Communion is a regular opportunity for the Church to remember.
And he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way he also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” (Luke 22:19-20)
In his letter to the church in Corinth, Paul reiterates these words of Christ and their importance for the church, adding this note:
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:26)
As we take the Lord’s Supper, we are not only calling ourselves to remember but are demonstrating to the world the reality and purpose of Christ’s death on the cross. Christians have been doing this for two thousand years, and they will continue to be doing this until he returns. We are a part of that important role of public proclamation.
Remembering Christ helps us endure until he comes.
There is a reason we must remember that Christ is with us, that he died for us, and that he is coming again. Paul saw the importance of a strong memory in his letter to Timothy. He encourages the young believer to be strong in the grace found in Christ and to be willing to suffer for his cause. He reminds him that the Lord will give him understanding in everything he’s been taught by his mentor.
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and descended from David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer to the point of being bound like a criminal. But the word of God is not bound. This is why I endure all things for the elect: so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy:
For if we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself. (2 Timothy 2:8-13)
In remembering the atoning work of Christ, we can endure whatever comes our way in this world, just as Paul endured great hardship throughout his life in ministry. In our striving to endure, he strengthens us and grows us, preparing us for the great day of his return.
Grace and Peace
If you missed the last Friday Focus post, click HERE, or start from the Beginning.
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