The church that’s honored me as their pastor emeritus has two communion tables.  Two?  Yes, two!  One rests up on the elevated chancel platform.  The other table, crafted by a church member decades ago, sits on the main floor, where the communion elements are placed for distribution during weekly worship.  Jesus’ words have been carved on the front–‘Do this in remembrance of me.’

Why two tables?  Well, getting older, it’s obvious that some no longer can navigate the chancel steps without fear of falling.  It sounds redundant yet having two adds up.  After all, how easy is it to forget how much Jesus has done for us?  As in giving His all to forgive us of what we can’t do for ourselves.  That the cross was no walk in the park, but the ultimate sacrifice of God for His own.

Deuteronomy 8 repeats the words ‘remember’ and ‘forget’ many times.  Here’s one–‘You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you…’ (Deut. 8:18).  And then ‘…if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods to serve them and worship them…’ (Deut. 8:19).  The dual words ‘remember’ and ‘forget’ roam all through this chapter.  Why so necessary to repeat them?  Don’t we get the point?

No.  At least I don’t.  I need constant reminding.  How often do I face some difficulty and my first reflex being fear and worry, wringing my clammy hands until finally remembering that the Lord wants to hear from me not last and even least, but rather first and foremost.

That’s what He wants.  To be remembered… that He’s right there for me.   And not forgotten… that He always knows best.  Why is that such an uphill battle?  For still I fret and stew.  Am I the only one?

So– ‘Remember and do not forget…’ (Deut. 9:7)– all those times He’s been there for you.  All the help Jesus has given.  He’s right there, side by side, never to let go.  Never.  Ever.

Got it?  Remember…and don’t forget!

Thank you, Jesus, for always being close to me.  Amen.