A memorial of death of Jesus Christ
The cross was the focus of Jesus’ mission as a human. His job was not done until he was crucified. Jesus did not
tell his disciples to remember his miracles—they were to remember his death. Jesus eliminated many rituals, but
he commanded a new one: the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper. He told us to participate in these reminders
of his death because his death, and our participation in his death, is the key to our salvation. We remember
Jesus’ death not just as something that happened to Jesus—it is relevant for us today. The Lord’s Supper looks
to the past—Jesus willing giving his life to us—and to the present—his union with us now, and the future—his
promise to return.
In baptism, we picture our participation in Jesus’ death (Romans 6:3). Spiritually speaking, are we crucified with
Christ (Galatians 2:20), and on a daily basis, we are to crucify our sinful passions and desires (Galatians 5:24;
Romans 8:13). To follow Jesus, we must take up our cross each day (Luke 9:23), willing to deny wrong desires.
The Lord’s Supper reminds us of what our life is all about.
Jesus’ death is our pattern for daily living—it is a picture of complete submission to God, a picture of willingness
to reject sin and choose righteousness. Jesus died for us, Paul says, so that we should no longer live for
ourselves, but instead live to serve Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:15). Since our old self was crucified with Christ, “we
should no longer be slaves to sin” (Romans 6:6). Instead, we offer ourselves to God as living sacrifices, willing to
serve him (Romans 6:13; 12:1). Because he died for us, we “die to sins and live for righteousness” (1 Peter 2:
24).
Jesus’ death is evidence that God loves us—it shows us that God cares about us so much that he did something
to solve our problem, to rescue us from the pain and death our sinfulness brought upon us (Romans 5:8-10).
Since God did not spare his own Son, we can be confident that he will give us everything we need for salvation
(Romans 8:32). His love for us becomes an example for how much we should love one another (Ephesians 5:1-
2).
The death of Jesus gives us some important freedoms:
We are no longer prisoners of the law (Galatians 3:23; Romans 7:6).
We are no longer slaves of sin and passions (John 8:34-36; Romans 6:6-7, 16; Titus 3:3).
We are no longer enslaved by death or fear (Romans 8:2; Hebrews 2:14-15).
We have overcome the world and the evil one (1 John 5:4-5; 1 John 2:13-14; Revelation 12:11).
With this freedom, we are to be slaves of righteousness, slaves of Jesus Christ. He died for us so we may live for
him (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). This is how we should respond to the love of God shown to us in the cross of Christ.
The cross is also an example for us when we suffer. Peter reminds us that when we suffer unjustly, we should
remember the example of Jesus, who suffered unjustly for us, setting an example for us (1 Peter 2:19-23). In
Hebrews we are also told to remember Jesus when we grow weary of our troubles, for he endured great
opposition for us (Hebrews 12:2-4). Unjust suffering is part of the Christian calling, and part of the example Jesus
set for us. “A servant is not greater than his master” (John 15:20). The Lord’s Supper reminds us of what Jesus’
life was all about, and that we are called to follow him.
When we suffer, we are also encouraged by knowing that a crown of glory awaits us, just as it did for Jesus.
When we identify with him in his cross, we will also share in his glory (Romans 8:17-18; 2 Corinthians 4:17).
Many people may think that the cross is foolishness, but it shows us the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:17-25).
It was a stroke of genius, a brilliant maneuver. It simultaneously shows us how ugly sin is, and how beautiful God’
s love is, and the extent of his commitment to ensure our salvation. It decisively punishes sin and offers
forgiveness. It shows both justice and grace. It breaks the power of sin and death, and gives us power to
overcome. The cross gives us visible evidence that our sins have been dealt with once and for all, that our
struggles are not in vain, and that a crown of glory awaits us through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is
certainly worth remembering.
By Michael Morrison
The cross was the focus of Jesus’ mission as a human. His job was not done until he was crucified. Jesus did not
tell his disciples to remember his miracles—they were to remember his death. Jesus eliminated many rituals, but
he commanded a new one: the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper. He told us to participate in these reminders
of his death because his death, and our participation in his death, is the key to our salvation. We remember
Jesus’ death not just as something that happened to Jesus—it is relevant for us today. The Lord’s Supper looks
to the past—Jesus willing giving his life to us—and to the present—his union with us now, and the future—his
promise to return.
In baptism, we picture our participation in Jesus’ death (Romans 6:3). Spiritually speaking, are we crucified with
Christ (Galatians 2:20), and on a daily basis, we are to crucify our sinful passions and desires (Galatians 5:24;
Romans 8:13). To follow Jesus, we must take up our cross each day (Luke 9:23), willing to deny wrong desires.
The Lord’s Supper reminds us of what our life is all about.
Jesus’ death is our pattern for daily living—it is a picture of complete submission to God, a picture of willingness
to reject sin and choose righteousness. Jesus died for us, Paul says, so that we should no longer live for
ourselves, but instead live to serve Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:15). Since our old self was crucified with Christ, “we
should no longer be slaves to sin” (Romans 6:6). Instead, we offer ourselves to God as living sacrifices, willing to
serve him (Romans 6:13; 12:1). Because he died for us, we “die to sins and live for righteousness” (1 Peter 2:
24).
Jesus’ death is evidence that God loves us—it shows us that God cares about us so much that he did something
to solve our problem, to rescue us from the pain and death our sinfulness brought upon us (Romans 5:8-10).
Since God did not spare his own Son, we can be confident that he will give us everything we need for salvation
(Romans 8:32). His love for us becomes an example for how much we should love one another (Ephesians 5:1-
2).
The death of Jesus gives us some important freedoms:
We are no longer prisoners of the law (Galatians 3:23; Romans 7:6).
We are no longer slaves of sin and passions (John 8:34-36; Romans 6:6-7, 16; Titus 3:3).
We are no longer enslaved by death or fear (Romans 8:2; Hebrews 2:14-15).
We have overcome the world and the evil one (1 John 5:4-5; 1 John 2:13-14; Revelation 12:11).
With this freedom, we are to be slaves of righteousness, slaves of Jesus Christ. He died for us so we may live for
him (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). This is how we should respond to the love of God shown to us in the cross of Christ.
The cross is also an example for us when we suffer. Peter reminds us that when we suffer unjustly, we should
remember the example of Jesus, who suffered unjustly for us, setting an example for us (1 Peter 2:19-23). In
Hebrews we are also told to remember Jesus when we grow weary of our troubles, for he endured great
opposition for us (Hebrews 12:2-4). Unjust suffering is part of the Christian calling, and part of the example Jesus
set for us. “A servant is not greater than his master” (John 15:20). The Lord’s Supper reminds us of what Jesus’
life was all about, and that we are called to follow him.
When we suffer, we are also encouraged by knowing that a crown of glory awaits us, just as it did for Jesus.
When we identify with him in his cross, we will also share in his glory (Romans 8:17-18; 2 Corinthians 4:17).
Many people may think that the cross is foolishness, but it shows us the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:17-25).
It was a stroke of genius, a brilliant maneuver. It simultaneously shows us how ugly sin is, and how beautiful God’
s love is, and the extent of his commitment to ensure our salvation. It decisively punishes sin and offers
forgiveness. It shows both justice and grace. It breaks the power of sin and death, and gives us power to
overcome. The cross gives us visible evidence that our sins have been dealt with once and for all, that our
struggles are not in vain, and that a crown of glory awaits us through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is
certainly worth remembering.
By Michael Morrison
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