I Corinthians 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Recently we celebrated Memorial Day. Many of us grilled out, had family over, or had some event at the lake. We had an enjoyable time, which is not necessarily wrong. But I wonder how many of us actually took time to remember those who have given their lives in order keep this country free. It is amazing how easy it is to celebrate things for which we have forgotten the purpose. We don’t remember why we are celebrating anymore, so we cease to truly celebrate.
Nowhere is that more keenly felt than in the celebrations we have of Jesus, whether it be Christmas, Easter, or a more regularly scheduled memorial like the Lord’s Supper. If we are not attentive, we can keep Jesus out of the very celebrations that are to remind us of Him!
In verse 24 Paul says of Jesus that “when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.” When we keep the Lord’s Supper, it is in remembrance of Him. Don’t leave Jesus out of that which belongs to Him, whether it is a day, a service, a season, or a church. It is so easy to become organized, busy, or skilled at something we do “in the Lord’s service,” yet leave Jesus totally out. Don’t do that. Don’t leave Jesus out of that which belongs to Him.
We are beginning camp at the Bill Rice Ranch, and we strive very hard to be organized, prompt, and hard-working. But, sometimes I fear that if we are not careful, we will be very good at our work, yet not very godly. We dare not forget why we are doing what we are doing. We dare not forget our love for the Lord Jesus.
If I am remembering Jesus as I should on Sunday or at seasons like Christmas, then I am going to be mindful of other people, as well. Paul says in verse 18, “For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.” If I am not doing right by people, then I am not doing right by the Lord Jesus.
Today, let us make sure that we remember Christ and think of others so that when we come together in the name of Christ, we come together for the better and not for the worse. Don’t leave Jesus out of that which belongs to Him.