A Season of Hope: Preparing Our Hearts for Easter
Luke 22:19
“Then He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
In the twenty-nine years since my mother’s passing, the recipe for her famous Lemon Tarts has always been brought out at Easter time to honor and maintain my tie to her legacy as the beautiful woman she was, inside and out, but also all the things she did as a loving wife and mother, and especially her talent in the kitchen. As we partake of the warm, delicate sweetness of these remembrances, it also serves to rekindle countless memories of her with our daughters, and with the grandchildren who never knew her.
When Jesus gathered the disciples in the Upper Room to celebrate His final Passover meal, He had much to impart to them—acts and words that would be seared into their memory—washing their feet, revealing that there was a betrayer in their midst, breaking bread, sipping wine, and imparting one last command, “to love one another as I have loved you.” Recalling His teachings and healings was critical to Christ’s disciples, but Jesus chose something else—a ritual—for them to remember Him, that symbolized His coming crucifixion:
“This is My body, broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
“This is My blood, poured out for you; do this in remembrance of Me.“
Whenever we have an opportunity to take Communion, it offers us a profound ritual of remembrance of all Christ has done for us in His life, death, and resurrection. When observing Communion we must first take time to examine our hearts by confessing and repenting of sins, thus removing any barriers that would keep our hearts from drawing close to Jesus. During this Passion Week, may we be reminded once again of the invitation Jesus offers to commune with Him, in remembrance of His body broken, and His blood poured out for us.
Lord God, may we always be reminded of the sacrifice Your Son made for us by giving of His body and shedding His blood. As we next take Communion, bring to our remembrance His anguish and incomparable sacrifice on the Cross that provided a way for us to live with You forever. It is in Your name we remember, Lord Jesus, and praise You. Amen.
~ painting by Lou Ann Bagnall
