Re-Membering Jesus

John 6:51-58

 “Re-Membering Christ”

30 August 2015 St. Andrew’s Chapel Singapore

            Recently a presidential candidate was asked if he ever asked God for forgiveness. He stated he hadn’t asked for forgiveness but he did routinely participate in Communion stating, “When I drink my little wine—which is about the only wine I drink—and have my little cracker, I guess that is a form of asking for forgiveness, and I do that as often as possible because I feel cleansed.”

            As a pastor-theologian, that rankled me a bit. It made me say, wait just a second there buddy. There’s nothing “little” about communion. This isn’t some minuscule thing we celebrate here every week. Communion, Eucharist, the Lord’s Supper, however we name this sacrament, is important. The elements may appear simple, but their meaning isn’t. How can someone be so dismissive about such a powerful element of our story?

            And then I answer my own question; I can be that dismissive of the Lord’s Supper. Because it is simple and routine, we are probably all guilty of diminishing the larger actions that occur when we come to this table. We all need forgiveness, spiritual nourishment, community, grace, and a true identity. There aren’t many places where we can find everything we need, but in our Triune God we find all that we need, and this table represents that.

            So what all is going on when we come and “eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood?” What does it mean to abide in Christ and him in us? What does it mean for us to come to this table and remember all that it signifies?

            We remember the fact that Christ was fully human and suffered a human death. We are forced to face the fact that he endured a horrific death following a kangaroo court convened on trumped up charges because he spoke truth to power. This meal represents the irony that Christ was sentenced to death by the very people he came to save; us. However, despite this betrayal, Christ stayed true to himself and us and went through with his death on the cross. By doing that, we are ultimately re-membered into the body of Christ and abide in him.

            We remember our own sins and our perpetual state of sin. None of us are perfect, far from it. Sometimes we forget that we are broken individuals in need of grace and this meal reminds us that all of us come to this table broken, yet loved. Sinners, yet forgiven. Sentenced, yet free. Because Christ abides in us and has re-membered the broken parts of our soul

            So this meal represents our forgiveness. Not just for some of our sins, but for them all. Without any reservation. It represents the forgiveness we all too often fail to give to each other. The Lord’s Supper reminds us of a new reality for us in which we are re-membered into a body of unconditional forgiveness.

            We remember with thanksgiving. This meal is called the Eucharist for a reason. Surprisingly the Greek word is Eucharistia, or Thanksgiving. Now, this meal wasn’t named as such by Christ the night he was betrayed. Rather, it came to be known as the Eucharist over time, but it is appropriate to call it a Thanksgiving meal. For when we reflect on the forgiveness of our sins we can’t help but express thanksgiving for the grace we have received. We are thankful that our souls are re-membered through the grace of Christ.

            This meal also points us to remember community. This meal started out a little differently than the manner in which we participate today. At first, it was a shared community meal around a table with your church family. Because of that, this meal isn’t one to be celebrated in solitude. We need each other to fully understand and appreciate this meal. By partaking of this meal as a Christian community, we are physically demonstrating the re-membering of the present Body of Christ, the church.

            We remember hospitality and equality. This table is for all Christians regardless of their background, their wealth, their health, their race, their gender, their age, or their denominational affiliation. Take a look around, we are all different and have different stories united by the story of Christ proclaimed by this table and our presence around it. We re-member the Body of Christ around this table with Christ abiding in us and us in him.

            We remember Christ’s inspiration in our lives. The story proclaimed by this table has outlasted the test of time because 12 men were inspired to spread the Good News that God became human for our salvation. These men endured death to share that story and make sure it was passed down through the generations. The same story that inspired the Apostles inspires us and we are re-membered with the original 12 in this meal.

            We remember that all we need is right here before us. This table provides all of our needs. As a matter of fact, I’m pretty sure there will be leftovers. When we come to this table we take all that we need to go out into the world. No matter how much or how little we take there will always be more for those that need more. Every time we come here for nourishment, it’s here waiting to feed us. Our cup runs over, even in the presence of our enemies. When we remember this abundance, we are called to live lives of abundance where we know there is plenty rather than lives of scarcity where we fear there isn’t enough.

            So as we prepare to come forward and partake of this feast, let us remember all that this meal signifies. Let us come to the table not only seeking, but also providing forgiveness. Let us remember to not always seek, but to provide out of our abundance at the same time. Let us not only remember what Christ has done for us, but let us actively strive to re-member ourselves within the Body of Christ.