March - Lake Union Conference

That saved a wretch like me...Standing in the middle of all of these reminders, you getthe feeling that the human mind needs a lot of prodding.Our tendency to forget drives us to jog our memories withmonuments, anniversaries and celebrations.Jesus knew we would need powerful reminders of whathappened in Gethsemane and on Golgotha as the decadesand centuries passed. Though He never seemed to enjoyritual or ceremony, He is the One who said, “Do this in remembranceof me” (Luke 22:19).In the upper room He urged His followers to love eachother. He said that by their love they would be recognizedSo each time someone kneels in front of meto wash my feet in preparation for Communion, I see Jesus in my mind.I remember His command to love one another.as His disciples. Then He showed them what He meantwith an ongoing memorial.Those disciples could hardly believe what He did. I, too,am filled with amazement every time I think about it. PictureJesus picking up a towel, filling a basin with water, thenkneeling in front of each disciple and washing his dirty feet.As He completed His menial task He commanded them—and us—to do what He did in humility and love.So each time someone kneels in front of me to wash myfeet in preparation for Communion, I see Jesus in my mind.I remember His command to love one another.But it wasn’t over. At the Passover Supper, this pivotalmoment in history, Jesus and His disciples ate in order toremember. They remembered God’s delivery of the Israeliteslaves from Egyptian bondage. They also looked forwardto their future delivery from sin, to the Messiah’s death.Then Jesus, the actual Messiah, just hours before His death,set up a memorial for us using two items that were on themenu that evening. He was saying, It’s so easy to forget!Please remember! And I do.As I take that unleavened bread I remember Jesus, Hissinless body, bruised, beaten and bloody. I see Him tryingto drag that cross, my cross. I see the King of the universehanging on that cross in my place. As I eat the bread myheart says, Jesus, I cannot fathom the pain you must have felt for me.Thank You!The grape juice, too, makes me think of Jesus; His flowingblood brought from His body by the lashes, the thorns,the nails. He died that Friday, so I could live eternally withHim. And as I sip the juice, my heart cries out, Thank You fortaking my death. I want to live for you today!Yes, it’s easy to forget. I want to remember and believe.So as the water trickles across my feet, as the crusty breadbrushes past my lips and I crunch it, as the sweet juice delightsmy taste, I remember Jesus. I think about Him. I receiveHim into my life again.Dear Jesus, my servant King and suffering Savior, my powerful, risenDeliverer, I praise You for Your sacrifice today. I rest completely inYour mercy and grace.Don C. Schneider is president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in NorthAmerica.Vi s i t w w w. L a k e Un i o n He r a l d . o r g L a k e U n i o n H e r a l d • Ma r c h 2 0 0 8 | 29