10/4/53

Scripture: Luke 22: 14-20

Long ago, a man accounted wise among his people said, “Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.” Multitudes have followed that advice in many ages. The route of escape ---- forgetting.

Religion has been called an escape. The Marxian slogan: “Religion is the opiate of the people,” is justified only by the basest expressions of self-concern in religion. Religion has been assumed to be a sentimental salve to cover up personal and social sores that cry out for healing.

The religion of Jesus does call for the continued, sincere effort toward reconciliation in mankind, the cooling of hatred and the staying of strife. But worthy religion has never been an opium pipe, lulling people to sleep amid the sin and wrong that besets them. The religion of Jesus has no kinship to the opiate. He who refused a narcotic drink, as he was nailed to a wooden cross, never sponsored a drink of forgetfulness.

As Paul reports the communion cup, Jesus’ words were: “This do as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.” [I Corinthians 11: 25]. The perverted element of this world may say: “Drink and forget.” Jesus said: “Drink and remember.”

We have no right to forget the sacrifices, the heroic stands and struggles, of the past in our enjoyment of the present.

Heritage: (1) education; (2) mechanical convenience; (3) Scientific discovery; (4) Literary creation; (5) Political struggle for liberty and dignity; (6) Religious freedom & responsibility.

Every success is built on the efforts of others.

1) before.

2) contemporary

Deuteronomy: “When the Lord thy God shall bring thee into the land ...... to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildest not, and houses full of good things which thou filledst not, .... and vineyards which thou plantest not ..... then beware lest thou forget ....” [Deuteronomy 6: 10-12].

We’ve no right to forget the needs of the present: Poverty to be dealt with on a massive scale. Misery to be alleviated:

1) Crippled children

2) Aged dependents

3) Mentally deranged

4) Desperately discouraged

Paul exhorts: “Remember Jesus Christ.” Why should we remember him? Not simply out of honor and respect (though he does deserve these, and our adoration, too).

1) Oriental honor & respect for ancestors. They remember.

2) “Remember the Maine.” “Remember Pearl Harbor.”

-to hate and secure revenge.

But Jesus said, “Love your enemies; pray for those who despitefully use you.” [Luke 6: 27-28].

To remember Jesus is not to perpetuate a feud.

Why then remember Jesus? The answer is simple: but difficult to perform. We would eat and drink these reminders and remember, in order to do his will!

Our remembrance of a loved one is often sentimental. But to carry forward the good work of that loved one is a “performing” remembrance!” We are to drink and remember Jesus Christ, in order to do his will.

“This do” -- appears to refer to eating with Jesus. Bread (wafer); wine (grape juice); quibbles!

But “This do” summons us to acts of kindness, and deeds of generosity, to loving forbearance and costly devotion.

This Sacrament is but the motivating part of Service.

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Delivered in Wisconsin Rapids, October 4, 1953.