Matthew 26:17–30; Mark 14:12–26; Luke 22:7–23; John 13:1–10
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 spent with my mom before her passing. She had been in the hospital from having pneumonia and afterward was in a rehabilitation facility to grow stronger. Although my family and I lived eight hours away, I felt this sense to go and see my mom again. So we left on a Friday in the late afternoon and drove down to stay with family and spend time with Mom the next day. Even our son, in his first year of college, had a friend drive him up from another state to meet us for the weekend. We enjoyed the better part of two wonderful days with Mom. She was, as always, sweet, pleasant, and thrilled to have us visit. One of the things my mom loved for us to do when we were together was to read the Bible, and we did during that visit. We read most often from the Psalms. She loved it and so did we. What a great memory!
We left to return home on Sunday afternoon, and I remember my family’s sensing that we might have seen my mom for the last time on this side of heaven. One of my sisters called me the next day, Monday, to let me know that Mom had passed. Of course it was sad news, but I was also very thankful that I had enjoyed the previous two days visiting with her. That was almost 10 years ago, and I still remember the room, the setting, and the time we spent reading to her. Today I can’t read certain Psalms without remembering Mom. 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).
“Dear God, Help me today to be a better servant, to more reflect You in my life. Help me to honor and represent You by seeking to serve others as You served us. Help me to have Your mind today, to be humble, to think of others and not be selfish. Help me to be tender and compassionate toward others today. Thank You for humbly serving us. In Jesus’ name I ask these things, Amen.”
— by Pastor Greg Joyner
Author: Editor
Community Connection is an outreach magazine and blog from Valley Forge Baptist to provide relevant and uplifting articles for the families and homes of Collegeville, PA and area residents. Articles are not just from staff but from other community members who’s lives have been touched by Jesus Christ. If we have been an encouragement to you please let us know at info@vfbt.org.
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