~~Dear congregations
As you all know, this time of year Robert Burns is the talk of the town. And people remember “Scotland’s favourite son” by means of sharing a special meal together – haggis, neaps and tatties (and just in case you wondered – even us ex-South Africans do that!). During this meal some of Burns’ poems are usually read or recited. And by means of this tradition, we keep the memory of a very special man alive.
Have you ever wondered why we always eat when we celebrate something? Birthdays, weddings, baptisms, even funerals… It’s either a meal or at least some cake, but there will always be food involved! I don’t know why we do that, but I do know that it’s been done for many many years.
In 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 we read: “…The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’” So we also remember Jesus and what he did for us by means of a special meal, around the communion table, while we read words that he spoke or stories of his life. People have been doing this for countless years, to keep the memory of Jesus and his sacrificial death on the cross, alive.
Maybe it’s easier to remember something if you feel part of it…
Every time I see haggis, I think of Robert Burns. Wouldn’t it be great if we could think of Jesus every time we see bread? Because then we will think of him very often.
I hope you all enjoyed your Burns’ Suppers, and I want to invite you to come enjoy the Lord’s Supper in church on the first Sunday in March.
Let’s celebrate the life of Jesus, for auld lang syne, and as often as we can, because He is the one person we never want to forget.
May God bless you all.
Nanda