Recently, Carmen and I had the privilege of hosting a very special family at Chateau Mariposa, the venue God entrusted us to steward. They weren’t just there for a vacation or event — they came with a purpose. Let me tell you a story of love, loss, and freedom.
This story starts with the gathering of a family to celebrate what was to be the 100th birthday of a beloved family member. They traveled from near and far, filling the chateau with laughter, stories, and heartfelt memories.
But there was something unique about this celebration.
The guest of honor, the family member whose milestone they had come to mark, had passed away the previous year.
Still, their love for this person was so deep and enduring that they came together to honor and remember them.
They gathered… in remembrance of her.
The Power of Remembering
As I thought about this family, my heart was drawn to another table. The table where Jesus sat with His disciples the night before His crucifixion.
Jesus knew what was ahead. He knew His followers would one day need an anchor to hold onto when the storms of life came.
So, He gave them, and us, a gift: the practice of communion.
Luke 22:19 NIV
This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.
It wasn’t about the bread or the cup itself.
It was about remembering.
Jesus didn’t ask us to do this because He needed to be remembered.
He asked us to do it because we need to remember — to pause, to reflect, and to be reminded of just how much He loves us.
The Weight of Sin vs. the Freedom of Forgiveness
Carrying the weight of sin isn’t just spiritual. It affects us physically.
Stress, guilt, and shame don’t just weigh on our hearts; they can literally make us sick.
Think about that. If we believe sin has the power to harm our bodies and minds, why do we struggle to believe that forgiveness has the power to heal us?
Jesus came not only to take away our sin but to bring us:
- Hope for today and eternity
- Freedom from guilt and shame
- Healing for body and soul
When He gave His body and shed His blood, He opened the way for healing and restoration.
When we take communion, we aren’t just looking back at a historical event; we are living in the reality of His love and grace in the present moment.
A Table of Hope
Communion is more than a ritual. It’s a love story.
It’s a reminder that Jesus saw you at your worst and still gave His very best.
It’s a declaration that you are forgiven, free, and deeply loved.
And it’s a glimpse of hope. A promise that one day, you will sit at His table in eternity.
Just like that family gathered to remember their loved one, we gather to remember Jesus.
But this remembrance isn’t only about the past — it’s about walking and living today in the light of His love.
Challenge of the Week
Communion is more than a ritual; it’s a powerful reminder of why we take communion — to live daily in the freedom and forgiveness Jesus offers. This week, choose one specific way to show Christ’s love to someone in your life. It could be offering forgiveness, extending kindness, or sharing a meal with someone who feels forgotten. Let your remembrance of Him move you to action, just like His remembrance of you moved Him to action. So be it!
John 6:35 MSG
Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever.
Other Related Posts:
- As I reflected on this, I was reminded of what I wrote in Power of the Covenant
- This post reminds me of where healing takes place – The Right-Brained Church
