Let's admit it, pure nostalgia is a blast. To let our minds wander back to the days of our favorite childhood memories, holidays, special events is a wonderful way to spend some free time. But most of us recognize that a visit should not turn into a residence. Longing for the goodness of the past is natural, but remembering the counterbalance of the bad times is a different story.
We want the snowball fights but not the fights in the car. We want the nice without the mess.
So what role does God play in helping us to retain truthful memories?
He is the only one in our lives that remains consistent, faithful, and true. Words of a favorite counselor, guide, mentor, or even our parents may be sweet and wise. Yet few memories come with a true complement of their failures and falsehoods.
This may sound crazy but I hope you will bear with me for a few minutes as we examine an event in the past to see what lessons we can possible derive for our present.
A.D. 33 (or so). Jesus's life was drawing to a close and He invited His friends to share one last meal, The Last Supper. The context of that time in history plays a factor in understanding that moment. Jerusalem was divided, war-torn, inhabited by a conquering force that ruled with a heavy hand. The Jewish people were growing desperate for freedom, and increasingly looked to scripture for the hope that had been proclaimed by the prophets. And now it looked like their hopes were about to come true. Jesus had just been given a hero's welcome into Jerusalem, the people were ready to follow Him in great numbers, and that set the religious leaders on edge. Suddenly their hold on the Jewish people appeared tedious.
The Last Supper is not just a moment of nostalgia. It is a moment for our reality. Jesus was giving clear instructions to not only His friends, but all of us who would follow Him in the future.
During the meal, Jesus asks the disciples to eat the meal and “Remember me.”
What specifically was He asking them to remember? Or, a second and possibly equally relevant question, How do we currently remember Him?
Knowing death was imminent, Jesus understood this was not a time for recalling the previous years and the good times they had enjoyed. Instead, he invited the disciples to think about something radically different.
He took the bread. He combined this visual with His words. His life was represented in this action, so that we would link an daily act with the sacrifice of grace that He was to present at the cross.
He blessed the bread. Just like all the previous days when He had poured Himself into the lives of his followers, He blessed the small and large moments of our existence. There was and is no part of our lives that Jesus doesn't desire to inhabit.
He broke the bread. Just like we are broken people, torn apart by the struggles of life, Jesus was pointing out His providence in our lives, despite our jagged edges and rebellious natures.
He shared the bread. The broken bread. He gave of Himself so that we would understand the truth behind the cross that was rapidly approaching in His life. That He would suffer so that we could be spared. In the end He was pointing out His ultimate sacrifice, for His creation, who weren't even aware of what was coming. But the mercies of Jesus are all present in that moment, that there is no part of our story that Jesus doesn't want to redeem and use to advance His Kingdom.
This was not a celebratory meal. This was not a milestone that would be remembered with pleasure. But that wasn't Jesus intent, then or now. Just like every event in our life should be equally viewed through the lens of God's grace, with a laser-focus on His ability to transform each piece of darkness that we have endured. Events in our life that are marked by horrible pain, indescribable tragedy, and crushing sadness, He promises to transform evil to good, for those of us who are faithful and obedient. He will then add these chapters to our story, and more importantly graft them into His story, which will endure forever.
Hey, don't just take my word for it, here is that promise in God's scripture.
"Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good." (Romans 8:26-28)
When Creator God promises that every detail of our lives will be worked into something good, that is a reason for hope. That is a reason to praise the One who knows us best and still chooses to love us. That is a bedrock for our belief that this world is not our home, this reality is not our true reality, and that one day all will be made clear and right by the Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ.
"And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)
"Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21: 1-4)
