Remember

I can be quite forgetful. Most of the time it is merely a nuisance. It is frustrating. I forget verses I thought I had memorized. I forget to bring something home from the office. I forget names of people I have not seen in a while.

I forget household items needed when I refuse to write a grocery list because I know I will remember what is needed. Even while compiling this list, I have forgotten some of the things I have forgotten. Why is it so hard for me to remember things?

Some things in life, I am just not allowed to forget. My wife’s birthday. Wedding Anniversary. Those things are chiseled on my brain and (at least for now) I remember those.

We all must add to the “Not Allowed to Forget” List what Jesus experienced as He died on the cross for our sins. We should not forget it because of all that Jesus accomplished for us. And, Jesus told us to “do this in remembrance of me.” The Lord’s Supper (also called Communion or Eucharist) helps us to remember.

We must remember the physical agony that Jesus suffered. The beating was relentless. The crown of thorns both mocked Jesus and pierced His brow. The spikes holding His arms and feet to the cross. Jesus said He was thirsty. Through it all, the humanity of Jesus felt every ounce of pain. And it hurt.

We must remember the emotional agony that Jesus suffered. After the trials that were themselves a sham, Jesus was brought before the crowd. “Do you want me to save this Jesus?” Pilate asked. “No!” the crowd shouted. “Give us Barabbas instead.” Pilate questions: “What shall I do with Jesus?” “Crucify Him. CRUCIFY HIM!” They shouted.

He was mocked and jeered by the very people He came to save. Jesus heard every insult and felt every verbal arrow. And it hurt.

We must remember the spiritual agony that Jesus suffered. The perfect, sinless Lamb of God felt the weight of sin for the first time. Not just the sin of one person but the sins of all people were placed on Him at one time. The ugliness of sin, the dirtiness of sin, the pain of sin came crashing on His heart and soul. He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21, CSB). He bore my sin. He felt your sin. And it hurt.

The cross is the vilest thing in all history. Yet, because of what Jesus did for us, it becomes the most beautiful and amazing thing in all history. We cannot forget. We must not forget.

Remember the price that was paid so you can be forgiven. Remember what Jesus did because of His immeasurable love for you. Remember the cross. Remember the power of the gospel that has been displayed in your life. Remember what it took for you to stand forgiven and righteous. Remember.