An Act Of Remembrance

Mark 14:22-24 (NIV)

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take it; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,’ he said to them.

What meals do you remember? Perhaps a Christmas dinner with your loved ones gathered around, with silly hats and lots of laughter? Maybe a family birthday after a long time apart, where gifts are given and memories shared. Or even a celebratory beer and burger at your local pub after receiving good news, excited for what the future holds. Most often we don’t remember what we ate, but we remember who we ate it with. Friends and family gathering together around food is significant in every culture.

It’s no surprise, then, that the central act of Christian worship through the centuries is a meal. A simple meal, just bread and wine, holding deep spiritual significance. We, the Church gather around the bread and wine and we believe that, by his Spirit, Jesus gathers with us, bringing us together and building us up. Strangers and friends, the wealthy and the marginalised, the young and the old, all gathering together to remember and be spiritually fed.

As we gather, we remember Jesus’ sacrifice made once and for all on the cross for our sake. We remember how he broke his body to restore our brokenness.

What is there in your life that is broken? A relationship? A work situation? Offer it to Jesus today, trusting that in his brokenness on the cross, he heals your brokenness, gathers you to himself and makes you whole.

Prayer — Jesus, thank you for dying for me. I offer you my brokenness and ask you to make me whole.