A Celebration of Remembrance
January 2, 2005
Intro: Today, we are going to begin 2005 with a communion celebration. We will reflect on the sacrifice of Christ and what it means for us.
When Jesus instituted The Lord’s Supper, he instructed his disciples to do this to remember him.
“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’”
Luke 22:19 (NIV)
Paul gives us more detail on remembrance:
“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” I Corinthians 11:26 (NIV)
We are called to remember the death of Christ as we celebrate the communion.
Today, I want to recall to you events and scripture that lead us to an understanding of the person, work, and death of Jesus.
Moving from the Old Testament to the New we will look at what people had to say about Jesus to help us remember.
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)
The passage is written to a people who have been devastated by the enemy. The dark forces that opposed the people of God have overtaken them. Isaiah’s message is that there is hope coming to those people.
“in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles.”
Isaiah 9:1(NIV)
Galilee is the region in which Jesus is born. This is a reference of hope.
Isaiah goes on to write that his child will become a king:
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6(NIV)
Isaiah goes on to point out how this will happen:
“See, my servant will act wisely, he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as there were many who were appalled at him—his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness…” Isaiah 52:13-14
Isaiah lays out the horror of the cross and leads us to its triumph.
“Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:4-5(NIV)
This is a foreshadowing of the work of the messiah.
When an angel visits Joseph, he is told of the work of Jesus.
“She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:21(NIV)
The greeting the angel gave Mary was more in line with the role of Jesus in Isaiah 9
“You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Luke 7:31-33(NIV)
Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, made incredible statements about Jesus, whom he baptized.
“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!”
John 1:29(NIV)
At Jesus’ baptism, God himself spoke of who Jesus is:
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘ This is my Son whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’”
Matthew 3:16-17 (NIV)
One of his disciples, Peter recognized who he was.
“ ‘But what about you? he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘ You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’”
Matthew 16:15-16(NIV)
One of the men being crucified with Jesus recognized him.
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him; ‘Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” Luke 23:39-42(NIV)
Even the Roman guard recognized Jesus.
“When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God.”
Matthew 27:54 (NIV)
So, the question now rests with you. Who do you say Jesus is?
Is he the great light of Isaiah? Is he the one who heals us by his wounds? Is he the one who will be lifted up and exalted? Is he the one who saves people from their sin? Is he, as the angel told Mary, the “Son of the Most High God?” Is he, as John declares, “The Lamb of God?” Is he the Christ as Peter confesses? Is he the hope for remembrance as the thief begs?
Who do you confess Jesus to be?
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. God it is with the heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10
Without this confession, communion is nothing to you. With it, the remembrance of your God is at the front of your life.
