In this episode, we talk about the phrase “do this in remembrance of me” and talk about exactly what kind of things we are to remember when taking the Lord’s Supper.

Music:
“Kid Kodi”
Blue Dot Sessions
http://www.sessions.blue

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Episode #57 – The Lord’s Supper: Part 6

“Do This In Remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19)

The Lord’s Supper, with its reminders of liberation, the eschatological banquet, forgiveness, service, and ministry to the outcast, is to be done “in remembrance of me.”

• This could, possibly, be the most well known saying from the Last Supper. These are words we repeat often when taking the Lord’s Supper, and the words inscribed on many of our Lord’s Supper tables. 
• Only Luke and Paul have the phrase. Luke only has it following the bread, while Paul includes it after both the bread and cup. 

Remembrance in Judaism

• Important virtue, especially regarding Passover (Exod 12:14; 13:8–9; Deut 16:3) 
• To remember events, such as the Exodus during Passover, is not merely to remember a past event, but to bring that event into the present. 
• Rabbis later taught, “In every generation a man must so regard himself as if he came forth himself out of Egypt…” (m. Pesah. 10:5).
  • Numerous times in the Old Testament God reminds Israel that he brought them out of Egypt in an effort to illicit a faithful response among the people (e.g., Exod 20:3; Num 51:41; Deut 13:10). 
• However, the Passover not only contemporizes the Exodus for the present generation, but it looks to the future in anticipation of the New Exodus. 

Remembrance and the Lord’s Supper

• The Lord’s Supper functions in the same way as the reinterpretation and fulfillment of the Passover and as an event to be done “in remembrance” of Jesus. 
• Luke wants his audience to continue practicing the Lord’s Supper, not merely to remember Jesus in the past, but to make Jesus present as they look forward to sharing the meal again with Jesus as the eschatological banquet. 
• The Emmaus story (Luke 24:13-35), with its Eucharistic language, is the perfect illustration. It was in the breaking of bread that the disciples’ eyes were opened, and Jesus was made known to them in the present. The Lord’s Supper brings Jesus into the present as he continues to host the meal in anticipation of hosting the eschatological banquet.
  • The “real” presence of Christ 

Remembering Jesus

• However, as we have talked about, Luke tells the story of the Last Supper in a way that not only reminds his readers of Jesus’ Passion but of Jesus’ entire life, specifically his open table to tax collectors and sinners, outcasts, and the diseased and disabled. 
• For Luke, to remember Jesus in the Lord’s Supper is to remember Jesus’ entire life, to remember Jesus’ body is to remember what Jesus did in his body, to sit at Jesus’ table is to remember the kinds of people that Jesus invited to his table and the people he promised to include at his eschatological table. 

Bringing Jesus Into the Present

• However, to remember Jesus’ life and table from the past is to bring Jesus into the present. 
• As Luke as shown throughout his Gospel, when Jesus is present at the table, he convicts those present at the table. Specifically, Jesus convicts his table companions regarding their ministry to the outcast and the inclusivity of their tables which are meant to reflect Jesus’ table and the character of the eschatological table. 
• Then, for Luke to tell the story of the Lord’s Supper in such a way is to convict his readers to display the same inclusivity as Jesus. 

What Was Going On in Luke’s Community?