Today's Word of Encouragement

A WAY TO REMEMBER HIM

Thursday, April 09, 2020

     Surf the Internet and you'll find many sites that claim to offer ways to help improve your memory. You'll discover memory techniques, memory tests and quizzes, and supplemental "nutrients." For me, I've found that certain events in my life, mostly emotional ones, cause me to remember more readily and vividly than anything.
I recall the last days before my mom passed away. She had been in the hospital from having complications with her diabetes and other medical issues. Although my family and I were minutes away, I felt this sense to stay at home and not visit her. She had been in and out of the hospital so much I felt like this was just another period when she would get better and be released soon after. She was not improving so I decided one morning that I would go and visit her. Just as we were about to walk out the door my Uncle came in and broke the bad news that she had already passed. I did not get to say goodbye, but I will have only good memories of her because of what she did for me. I was given the gift of lasting good memories as opposed to seeing her suffer any longer.
     That was almost 28 years ago, and I still remember it like it was yesterday. Today I can't read certain Psalms without remembering my Mother. I'm sure you have similar memories of loved ones, be they family members or friends. Those times are cherished moments burned into our minds, never to be forgotten.
On this, Thursday, the fifth day of Passion Week, Jesus and the disciples prepared for the Passover Feast (Matthew 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:7-13). As the Lamb of God, Jesus was about to fulfill the meaning of the Passover by giving His body to be broken and His blood to be shed in sacrifice, freeing us from sin and death. During this last supper, Jesus established The Lord's Supper, also called "Communion" (Matthew 26:20-30; Mark 14:17-26;
Luke 22:14-30; John 13:21-30). Jesus told His disciples and all followers thereafter to do this in remembrance of Him. The Lord's Supper is one of two ordinances we regularly observe today in the local church.
     During this last supper, Jesus washed the disciples' feet as an act of humility and service, thereby setting an example that we should love and serve one another in humility (John 13:3-17). If Jesus, God in the flesh, is willing to serve, we as His followers also must be servants. What a powerful reminder of how we are to live the Christian life (Philippians 2:1-11).

Pastor Chris Koch