One of the questions students seem to ask me a lot is, “If you had to pick your last meal, what would it be?” I do not know if the reason they ask me this is because I look like I enjoy food too much or if they think I am going to end up on death row, but it seems to be a common icebreaker question. Honestly, for me, it is fairly standard, “Steak and lobster.”
What would be your last meal?
I think we talk about our last meal because it is interesting to think about what we would eat if we knew we would never eat anything else. Most people are fascinated by what people eat, think, say, and do with the knowledge they will not be around much longer. As we take a look into the upper room, we get a picture of what Jesus made a priority during His final meal with His disciples. We can see what Jesus felt the disciples had to know as He broke bread with them one last time.
Read Luke 22:15-20.
Jesus wants them to remember what is about to happen. Though the disciples are clueless to the events that are about to unfold, Jesus knows the purpose of His death. He wants to make sure that the disciples know and do not ever forget, who His death was for and why He did it. He wanted to establish a tradition, not for tradition’s sake, but so that His followers would take time to remember that He died to save them. His body was broken and He shed His blood so that believers could be free from condemnation.
Why do you think Jesus wanted to establish a practice of remembering through communion?
Why is it so important that we take time to remember what Jesus did for us?
Communion for many people has become an impersonal and uninteresting ritual in the church. They have forgotten the significance, and fail to take the time and intentionality to reflect on what it truly means. It becomes the “grape juice and cracker time” and not the piece of a gathering where we truly look back to what Jesus did on the cross. Jesus’ death on the cross is the ultimate sacrifice. It cleared us of our conviction. He took the punishment that we rightfully deserve. His body was broken and His blood poured out for us. The thought of this should spur us to love. It should remind us of our freedom from sin. Reflecting on this has to become part of our regular lives. You do not need to wait for Sunday morning to reflect on what Jesus did on the cross. Set aside time to remember what Christ did for you on the cross. This week, take time to consider what Christ did for you on the cross and let it spur you to love and remind you of your freedom from sin.