Wow, last night was such fun! Having so many kids in the room gave us all such energy and joy! The Palm Sunday processional was definitely my favorite part. I couldn’t stop smiling as the kids marched around the room and we all waved our palm branches.
Of course it’s hard for any of us to think about Palm Sunday without also thinking about Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, his arrest, brutal walk to Calvary, and crucifixion. But there is a moment that I have been particularly thankful for as I have reflected on Jesus’ last week: the Last Supper. And specifically that Jesus knew we would, in our humanness, forget him, forget what he’d done for us, and forget that we are forgiven and free. So, he showed us how to remember, using the most common elements of life that would be available to every person throughout history – bread and wine. Describing Jesus’ instructions about the bread and wine to an audience with children in it reminded me of the simple and timeless beauty of this remembrance. Here is what I shared last night:
A few days after Palm Sunday, Jesus had a special meal with his closest friends. This was his last supper with them. At that supper he washed his friends’ dusty feet to show them how to serve one another. He shared a meal with them and he told them about a new agreement that would be made in the next couple of days between all of humankind and God. Jesus described this arrangement by using two very common things sitting on the dinner table: bread and wine. He picked up the bread and described it as a symbol of his body, which would be broken so that we could have life forever with God. Then he showed his friends the wine and said that like wine is poured, his blood would be poured out so we would be forgiven. Jesus told his friends and anyone who would follow him in the future to remember what he’d done and how much he loves us every time we have bread and wine.
Now, long after Jesus died, rose from the dead, and went to heaven, we still have bread and wine to remember him and the way he loves us.
I am so grateful Jesus gave us this very tangible and basic way to remember him and the depth of his love for us. When we return after Easter, we will be studying this form of thankful remembering – the Eucharist – for six weeks. What a gift it will be! In the meantime, we’ll be sharing all kinds of resources on the blog this week, so be sure to check those out as you prepare to remember the greatest day in all of human history: Resurrection Sunday!
May you remember his love,
Kellye
P.S. The Second Epic Practice Potluck Feast of Glory lived up to its name. I’m still a little full this morning….