Remembering Jesus

ON the night of his betrayal Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper. Among

other things he said: "This do in remembrance of me." (Luke 22:19.) There are

reasons innumerable why we should desire to keep Jesus always fresh in our

memories. In this article we want to direct your hearts to some of these

reasons.

Jesus became poor in our behalf. He was rich, but for our sakes he became

poor. "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was

rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be

rich." (2 Cor. 8:9.) If a rich earthly friend were to give up his wealth for us, we

would have no trouble in remembering our benefactor. Jesus gave up the

wealth of heaven for the poverty of earth for our sakes. How poor did he

become? "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the

Son of man hath not where to lay his head." (Matt. 8:20.)

Jesus left us a perfect example that we might follow in his steps. Of course

an example that was not perfect would be all but useless. Jesus not only told

us how to walk, but showed us how. There is power in an example. "For even

hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an

example, that ye should follow his steps." (1 Pet. 2:21.)

Jesus died for us. How can we forget such a sacrifice? "Moreover,

brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also

ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep

in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I

delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died

for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he

rose again the third day according to the scriptures." (1 Cor. 15:1-4.)Jesus gave us the divine plan of salvation. He said: "Go ye into all the

world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is

baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark

16:15, 16.) About ten days after this divine plan was given it was carried out

for the first time in the city of Jerusalem. On the birthday of the church the

gospel was preached. People heard it. They believed it. They cried out, saying:

"Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Peter gave the answer he had been

authorized by Christ to give. Hear it: "Repent, and be baptized every one of

you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive

the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:37, 38.)

Jesus invites all to come and be saved. Hear his gracious invitation: "Come

unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take

my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye

shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

(Matt 11:28-30.) We ought to remember Jesus and this precious invitation.

Gentle reader, have you answered this invitation?

Jesus offers us a home in heaven. If someone were to offer us a mansion

here on earth, he would have no trouble in getting us to accept it. Jesus offers

us one in heaven. "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so,

I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare

a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I

am, there ye may be also." (John 14:2,3.)

Jesus is now interceding for us. He is at the right hand of God making

intercession for us. "Wherefore he is also to save them to the uttermost that

come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

(Heb. 7:25.) Think what it means to have him in heaven interceding for us!

Jesus sympathizes with us. He knows and he cares. "For we have not an

high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without

sin." (Heb. 4:15.)

Jesus is coming again. We are going to meet him. This ought to make us

remember him. "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this

same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like

manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11.)

When Jesus comes, all the dead will be raised. Jesus said: "Marvel not at

this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear

his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the

resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of

damnation." (John 5:28, 29. ) There is nothing in this passage, or any other

one, that indicates two resurrections a thousand years or so apart, but Jesus

said at the resurrection all shall come forth.

Jesus will judge us all. This one thing ought to be enough to cause us all

to remember him. We are going to meet him at the judgment. "For the Father

judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son." (John 5:22.)

"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall

judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom." (2 Tim. 4:1.)

What is to take place at his appearing and his kingdom? Paul says that we are

to be judged. This I believe.

Jesus will reward the faithful and punish the disobedient. "For the Lord

himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the

archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in

the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

(1 These. 4:16. 17.) The ones who are alive shall not precede the righteous

dead into the glory world. "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when

the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in

flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not

the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished witheverlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of

his power." (2 These. 1:7-9.)

Our Father, help us to remember always thy Son and our Redeemer.