Do This In Remembrance of Me
Luke 22:17-20
Emily Witsiepe
M.Div Student; Louisville Presbyterian Seminary
Luke 22: 17-20 is probably the first bible verse I ever memorized; the repetition of the words of institution every Sunday undoubtedly engraved this verse into my memory forever. It is interesting that out of the four accounts of the Last Supper in the New Testament, only the 1 Corinthians and Luke text contain the words “Do this in remembrance of me.” I find it interesting because it our worship services, and in our retelling of the last supper we speak of remembrance, of the remembrance of Jesus sacrifice in the acts following the last supper. I also find it interesting because in almost every Disciples church I have been in the words “in remembrance of me” are engraved in the table. What 6 small words can do for us, is amazing.
The act of communion plays a significant role not only in our weekly worship but, also in our daily lives. It is in these acts of communion with family, friends and strangers that we create memories. Our senses help to recreate memories for us, the sights, smells, touch and taste of many foods or a certain environment can bring back memories good and bad that have been shared with others.
My great-grandfather chewed tobacco, I remember riding with him around his small town of Russell Springs as a child and the cut up pepsi can he use to dip in. I remember my great-grandfather smelled of chewing tobacco and even though he died over 10 years ago, when I see or smell chewing tobacco I remember the times that we spend together in his home, listening to his stories, doing summersaults in his living room and sharing meals together. Our senses create memories for us to share in communion.
We have been talking the past few weeks about communion, we have specifically focused on scriptural references to the last supper, the communion that was shared amongst Jesus and his disciples in the upper room however, there are numerous other references to communion in the New Testament. In John 4:1-26, we hear a story of Jesus shares in communion with the Samaritan woman at the well, in Matthew 14:13- 21 in the feeding of the five thousand and in Luke 10: 38- 42 when Jesus visits Martha and Mary, to name a few these instances of communion between Jesus and the people are stories of communion, stories of the presence of God in the lives of the people on Earth. These stories were told and written about the power of Jesus Christ.
We celebrate the meal of communion not only in remembrance of the death and sacrifice of Jesus but, in remembrance and celebration of the life that Jesus led, as a teacher, a preacher, a mentor and friend to the people that he came in contact with. Table stories occur throughout the New and Old Testament, they are stories about friends, and strangers coming together to share in a meal and in community.
Times have not changed very much, we still gather to share in communion with friends, family and strangers. For the past 15 years, I have gone to camp wakondaho as a camper and a counselor. This place for me, has created some of the most precious memories of my life. Every year, campers arrive some, have been coming to camp together every year since 4th grade, and some are brand new to the camp. On the first day of camp, campers come as individual members of a certain congregation, defined by the church that they came with not yet, forming a connection with those who they have not met yet however, by the last day when they share in communion together at vespers, they are friends, soul mates and brothers and sisters in Christ. They form a new community, through sharing in stories of their life, faith, relationship with God and 16 meals they have bonded, not just for the summer but, for life. For many youth, camp itself is communion. It is a time that they are open and able to share, breaking downs walls put up by the hurt in their own world. Communion is shared with these youth and adults through not only meals but, worship, games and conversation. Communion exists throughout the week and beyond.
We spend our lives in communion with one another, creating, sustaining, and sharing memories. These communion moments create opportunities to share our faith with one another. We remember these communion moments because they have made an impact on our lives that has shaped the way we live in the present and in the future. Many of you have shared with me your communion stories, some representing the way you view communion as part of the life that you led before joining this congregation. These memories impact the way you partake of the bread and the cup, they impact the way you remember the sacrifice of Jesus.
Luke 22, gives instructions to the disciples on the preparation of the Passover meal and shares the story of the meal that Jesus shared with his friends in the upper room. He took simple elements, bread and wine and turned them into symbols of faith and of life. Jesus’ celebration of the last supper is an act that reminds us of the service and sacrifice of Jesus and in this we should act likewise. Simply partaking of the elements every Sunday morning is a small piece of the power of the communion meal that is set before us. We should not only remember the life of Jesus but, go out and act likewise.
This communion meal should not be restricted to these walls and this table but, sent out into the world to spread the power of God and the salvation in the life and death of Jesus Christ.
This table is not stationary, take it with you, Go and tell the world about your faith, and your table story. Sharing your faith with the world is a way to remember the sacrifice that Jesus made for each one of us and to share in communion with others.
Do this in remembrance of me, Jesus gave us these words to share and spread with those around us, to remember. The act of communion represents something different, and significant for each of us. We all have memories of communion both inside and outside the church, some are simple and some are elaborate but, no matter the details of the story the important thing is that we share our story. Jesus tells the disciples to share in the communion meal in remembrance of him, the memory cannot be shared if we keep our stories to ourselves. Sharing our faith and our communion stories allows us to live out the instructions that Jesus gave the disciples in Luke 22.
The theme the last day of camp was Go and Tell, the keynote speaker this past week invited the youth and adults to go and tell, share their faith with others outside the camp. I invite you to go and tell, go and tell your table stories. Share your faith, your life and the memories that make communion special to you. This summer we have a unique opportunity to remember, to look in our past for the stories that remind us of communion. The times that we have shared a special meal with friends, family and strangers. Continue to celebrate communion, today and throughout the week.
Go and tell, share your memories, share your stories, do this in remembrance of the love and sacrifice that Jesus Christ gave to each one of us.
That evening in the upper room when Jesus gathered with his disciples, he knew what was to come; he knew that the end was coming near so, in gathering them he shared in communion, and gave them something to remember him by. In the bread and in the cup, we find hope. Jesus instructs us to do this in remembrance of me, remember Jesus in this meal. Remember the importance of this meal, remember to share this meal.
