The Living Memorial: Do This in Remembrance of Me

Introduction

The day of remembrance we call “Memorial Day” in this country began in a small community near where I grew up in New York called Waterloo, NY. It was referred to as Decoration Day when the graves of both Union and Confederate soldier’s tombs were cleaned and honored in the years after the Civil War. The men and women who did not come home alive after they had sacrificed so much on the battlefields. In this nation’s 245 year history thousands of men and women shed blood, sweat, tears, and many gave the ultimate sacrifice by dying for their country. Many would come back, but the scaring of physical, emotional, and mental wounds would make them causalities health problems, family problems, PTSD, and suicide. This weekend we remember their sacrifices. Today, I would like us to look at the Last Supper, where Jesus would give way to remember the sacrifice He would do on the cross for you and me. He was going to win a war that had been raging for the souls of every person. It was more than a battle for a piece of land, a flag, or even physical life, it was a battle for the eternal soul of the people He had created. The night which He would be betrayed He would use the Passover meal to show the disciples and us what He was about to do and for us to remember it until He returned.

A Shadow of Things to Come: The Passover

Romans 15:4 NKJV

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

Colossians 2:16–17 (NKJV)

So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.

“Picture the shadow of a tree with clearly defined branches. The shadow only gives an idea of what the tree looks like, smells like, feels like. It’s the tree itself that has substance. The tree itself is real.” (Logos Blog)

The Passover that was setup by God in Exodus 12 was to be a shadow of what was to come

The Last Supper

Matthew 26:26–30 NKJV

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Mark 14:22–26 NKJV

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Luke 22:14–23 NKJV

When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table. And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.

Do this in Remembrance (Reminder, Memorial).

The Bread

Representing His body.

This is my body (it was not just unleavened bread, representing the fleeing from Egypt)

The Wine

There were four cups:

Sanctification (Set Apart)—Israel was set apart

Wrath (poured out on Egypt), the wrath poured out on Christ

Redemption (Salvation)—this is the cup that Jesus stopped on… I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom!”

The Kingdom (The Future)

Looking to the Future

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NKJV

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

What is between you and Christ?

1 Corinthians 11:27–34 NKJV

Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.

Examine (Command)—Test, Find out

What is between you and the Savior. Look inside and ask the Holy Spirit

Eat (Command)

Drink (Command)

Take Communion

Conclusion

This Memorial Day weekend be sure to remember the sacrifices that were given for your freedom in this country, but also remember the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on the cross for your sins.