Stones have been a powerful symbol of remembrance throughout the Old Testament. From the twelve stones set up by the Israelites after crossing the Jordan River to the monument erected by Saul at Ebenezer, stones were tangible reminders of God's faithfulness and power. But in the New Testament, a new symbol of remembrance emerged: the person of Jesus Christ.
Jesus' death and resurrection fulfilled the promises of the Old Testament and ushered in a new covenant between God and humanity. No longer did we need physical stones to remind us of God's faithfulness - instead, we had the living, breathing presence of Jesus Himself. His sacrifice serves as the ultimate reminder of God's love and grace, and His resurrection assures us of our own future resurrection and eternal life.
But Jesus didn't just leave us with words - He left us with a tangible reminder of His sacrifice in the form of holy communion. When we partake of the bread and wine, we remember Jesus' body broken for us and His blood shed for the forgiveness of our sins. It's a powerful reminder of our connection to Jesus and the new covenant He inaugurated.
The Bible affirms the importance of remembering Jesus' sacrifice through the practice of communion. In Luke 22:19-20, Jesus instructs His disciples to "Do this in remembrance of me" during the Last Supper. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Paul emphasizes the seriousness of the practice of communion, writing that "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
It is crucial that we take this call to remembrance seriously, and here are three reasons why:
1. Remembering Jesus through communion helps us stay connected to His sacrifice and the new covenant He inaugurated.
2. Communion serves as a reminder of our own need for forgiveness and redemption, and helps us keep our hearts and minds focused on Jesus.
3. Participating in communion together as a community of believers helps us strengthen our bond with one another and unite us in our shared faith in Jesus.
As we remember Jesus through communion, we are strengthened in our faith and empowered to live out our calling as His followers. So let's continue to partake of the bread and cup, not as a mere ritual, but as a powerful symbol of our connection to Jesus and our remembrance of His sacrifice.
If you haven't already, take some time this week to reflect on the meaning of communion and what it means to you personally. As you partake of the bread and wine, remember Jesus' sacrifice and the new covenant that He inaugurated. Let's continue to remember Jesus and His sacrifice as we live out our lives in service to Him.
#Communion #Remembrance #NewCovenant #JesusChrist
In HIS Service,
JK. Woodall, Ph.D.
Senior Pastor, Revival Center Hesperia California
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