In Remembrance of What?

“And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’” (I Corinthians 11:24–25)

Three years ago, just a week before Holy Week, my husband and I were privileged to visit the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy.  There, in the refectory, we came face to face with Leonardo DaVinci’s portrayal of The Last Supper. It was a holy experience brought to my remembrance earlier this week.

As I considered today’s post, I thought of the days leading to Easter Sunday. The Lord brought me back to this painting and Jesus’ words, “Do this in remembrance of Me.” I asked, “What is it that You want us to remember Lord?” He reminded me of the lesser known painting on the opposite wall of The Last Supper. 

{The danger of spending too much time contemplating The Last Supper is that a viewer might miss Crucifixion, Painted by Giovanni Donato. Time is limited to 10 minutes to tourists in this holy space.}

As I recalled the experience of turning from The Last Supper to the Crucifixion,  Holy Spirit seemed to say to me, “Remember what happened on Friday. The New Covenant began on Friday with the tearing of the curtain in the temple.” 

Matthew describes it this way in Matthew 27: 50–51a

 “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”

The Old Covenant demanded that only the High Priest could enter into the Holy of Holies—the place separated by the curtain. This could happen only once a year and only after a sin offering of atonement (a blood sacrifice) was given on behalf of the people (Exodus 30:10). 

The tearing of the curtain signified that Jesus death was the sin offering of atonement for all mankind. The New Covenant began with His death which tore the veil—that which separated man from the Presence of God. The writer of Hebrews confirms this in Hebrews 10:19-20

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,  by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,”

We live in the New Covenant. What that means for you today is that you have access to God’s Presence through the blood of Jesus and His sacrificial death on the cross. In the words of the Apostle Peter, 

 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

Not only does this verse affirm you as a royal priesthood and more, it tells us of our proper response to the good news of the New Covenant: praise and worship. 

Today is Good Friday. It is a solemn day to contemplate our Lord’s sacrifice of atonement for our sins, on the one hand. On the other hand, let us also remember the New Covenant that invites us to enter into the Lord’s Presence freely and without need for an intermediary. Let us remember, celebrate, and worship the God who loves us so much that He sent His Son to bring us back into His Presence. 

Yes, it is Good Friday, but Sunday has already come for us. Resurrection has happened. You live in the freedom of the death and the resurrection of Jesus. As He conquered sin, death, and the power of the devil, so can you as you believe in Him (John 3:16) and claim His victory in your life. 

Whatever you need for your life is found in the Presence of the Lord. Enter into the Holy of Holies and worship Him. There is no need for you to bring a sacrifice. You are enough. Jesus made sure of it. 

That Dear One, is the Good News of Good Friday and Easter!