But what is its significance today? What all is entailed in this new commandment?
On the night that He was betrayed, that Last Supper, He gave thanks, broke the bread, and then reminded them to remember Him.
In all you do today, even if life is broken and crumbling around you, give thanks and remember Him. It's hard to feel fully alive when life is full of hurt. But the giving of thanks is to be in all things. The loss of a loved one, a child, really? Give thanks? He's not asking you to give thanks for the death of your loved one, your marriage, your job, your home, this awful war in Ukraine, whatever your loss. He's reminding each of us that in our pain and loss and grief, to remember to remember that His body was broken for you. He paid the price and redeemed you through His brokenness and shed blood. He brings hope and His healing grace to your brokenness.
Broken bread . . . broken body . . . broken lives . . . broken hearts. . . shattered dreams . . . are meant to bring us together in a community of remembrance and life-giving hope. It's in those broken and shattered places, lived out with other broken people, that we are most near the very broken heart of Christ Himself . . . sacrificially given bringing us life and hope.
Today, remember to share your brokenness with other broken people as an act of loving kindness, not asking for anything in return. Choose to give thanks. Remember His sacrifice for you and you will fully live.