Sermon for April 6: “In Remembrance”
I hesitate even to put this sermon online. Sometimes, I do a sermon that is more experiential than informational, and this was one of those. Those sermons are better heard than read, but I know that some folks can’t hear them so I figure they’re worth putting up… even if they don’t seem complete.
Yesterday was communion Sunday, and the Lectionary reading was the story of the disciples on the Emmaus Road. That’s always been a powerful passage for me when linked to communion, because they recognized Jesus “in the breaking of bread.”
As we began, I asked the congregation to sit in silence for a few moments and call to mind a challenge that they currently face – some problem, anxiety, grief, something that felt as though nothing could stop it.
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In Remembrance
Luke 24:13-35
John 21:1-14
Have you ever been in a time of deep grief or anxiety? Can you remember how that felt – to be in a place where it felt like God would not come to your rescue? When we get deep into times like that, it seems like we can’t even remember what life was like without that challenge. We try to remember that loved person’s face, their voice. We try to remember when life was under control, when things were right. But while it’s nice to have memories, sometimes it seems like memory is just not very useful or powerful.
All these people (in the passages we’ve read) were in a difficult time like that. It wasn’t like in losing Jesus that they had just lost a good friend. Jesus was their master, their teacher. He had been a leader to them for months and years. And they had come to believe he was special – that he was the messiah, even though they didn’t yet know what that meant.
Psychologists rate our experiences of loss and stress on a scale, with loss of a spouse and loss of a job being right at the top. They didn’t have a ranking for this kind of loss… and I imagine it would be close to the top as well.
They were disoriented, and they were grieving. And any of you who have ever grieved the loss of someone dear can understand their feelings. They had been so comfortable while Jesus was there, but now he was absent – and it was hard even to recall Jesus’ peaceful presence in the midst of such turmoil.
But Jesus is always the effective teacher, and he knows the human heart – and he knew just what to do for each of his followers to bring them peace and comfort in a difficult time.
- Jesus met the women in the garden on the way to tell the disciples, and greeted them with his presence.
- Appears to his disciples and says a familiar greeting, “Peace be with you.” He eats with them.
- He appears to Mary and says her name – at which point she recognizes him.
- He appears to his disciples again by the sea, telling them to cast their nets.
- He speaks privately with Peter, reminding him of his betrayal and denial, but also showing compassion and grace.
- Then he appears to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, and enters their lives again as he “breaks the bread.”
For each one of these, Jesus appears in the midst of their turmoil through MEMORY.
- He greeted the women as he had done countless times before.
- He says a familiar greeting to his disciples in the locked room.
- He shows himself to some of the disciples by repeating the first miracle they had seen (see Luke 5:1-11 and John 21:1-14).
- He recalls a painful memory of denial for Peter – but also uses that memory for forgiveness and restoration (John 21:15-19).
- He appears to the Emmaus disciples in the memory of that last supper.
Eating was a powerful symbol in the ANE culture – signified acceptance, togetherness. That’s perhaps why the communion meal quickly became such an important part of church life. After all, Jesus didn’t give detailed instructions when he “instituted” the supper. He didn’t say, “Do this in remembrance of me once a month on Sunday.” He didn’t give detailed instructions about the presentation of the wine and the bread. He simply said, “do this in remembrance of me.” Or, “Continually do this and remember me.”
The key to the command was not “DO THIS,” but “REMEMBER ME.” Jesus knew that the young church would face difficult times ahead, as Jews, governors, and emperors would persecute them – causing them to move, lose their possessions, be tortured, and die.
And the thing that would keep this band of believers together was NOT a ritual. It was the MEMORY behind the ritual that was important. When each of those early followers experienced a familiar MEMORY, they found Jesus had come into their place of turmoil. Just so, when the followers in persecution came together to worship, proclaim the word, and celebrate communion, God could spark their MEMORY and bring unity, peace, and comfort.
And I think that’s important for us to remember in our day and age. Meals are not as important to us as they were then. But memory is as powerful as it has ever been.
But we weren’t in the Upper Room at that last Passover. We weren’t at the cross or the empty tomb. We haven’t touched Jesus hands and side. We haven’t talked with him face to face along the road. We didn’t watch him do any miracles, or preach by the sea! How can we possibly spark a memory that isn’t there?
It’s possible, and I bet it’s happened before. And if we’ll let it, it can happen today as we celebrate:
- Now remember a place where God and Jesus have been very real to you – a place you experienced God’s presence and peace in a powerful way.
Psalm 77:1-14: I will cry out to God and call for help! I will cry out to God and he will pay attention to me. (2) In my time of trouble I sought the Lord. I kept my hand raised in prayer throughout the night. I refused to be comforted. (3) I said, “I will remember God while I groan; I will think about him while my strength leaves me.” (Selah) (4) You held my eyelids open; I was troubled and could not speak. (5) I thought about the days of old, about ancient times. (6) I said, “During the night I will remember the song I once sang; I will think very carefully.” I tried to make sense of what was happening. (7) I asked, “Will the Lord reject me forever? Will he never again show me his favor? (8) Has his loyal love disappeared forever? Has his promise failed forever? (9) Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has his anger stifled his compassion?” (10) Then I said, “I am sickened by the thought that the sovereign One might become inactive. (11) I will remember the works of the LORD. Yes, I will remember the amazing things you did long ago! (12) I will think about all you have done; I will reflect upon your deeds!” (13) O God, your deeds are extraordinary! What god can compare to our great God? (14) You are the God who does amazing things; you have revealed your strength among the nations.
- Now, think back to the difficulty that’s in front of you. But as you do, remember that time of peace and comfort. Be reminded of what God has done for you. He has promised never to leave you or forsake you. He has promised that he knows what is best for us, and he has proven it over and over again.
We may not have seen Jesus face to face. We may not have watched his miracles, eaten the last supper with him, or seen the empty tomb.
But we know Jesus. We’ve all met him at some point in our lives. We’ve all experienced the peace of God and the movement of the Spirit. The question is not, “Where is God right now?” The real question is, “God is here. He always has been. How can I find him?”
And we’ll find that in God’s hands, memory can be a very powerful thing after all!
