Remembering Jesus Christ

If ye love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15).

Jesus Christ and His disciples went to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. This was a special time for the Jewish people to remember when they were in Egypt and the angel of death had “passed over” the children of Israel and killed only the firstborn of the Egyptians. Pharaoh had then finally allowed Moses and his people to leave (see Ex. 12:21–39).

As the time came near to prepare the feast of unleavened bread (a feast associated with Passover, when the children of Israel didn’t have time to wait for bread to rise), the disciples asked Jesus, “Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?” (Matt. 26:17).

The Savior answered, “When ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.

“And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

“And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.” (Luke 22:10–12.)

When Jesus Christ and His disciples gathered together and began to eat, He told them that one of them would betray Him. Alarmed, each of them asked, “Lord, is it I?” He told them that it would be the one who ate out of the same dish with Him. When Judas asked if it was him, the Savior said, “Thou hast said.” (See Matt. 26:21–25.)

The Savior knew that the time for His atoning sacrifice and death was near. To help His disciples always remember Him, He introduced the sacrament:

“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is in remembrance of my body which I give a ransom for you.

“And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

“For this is in remembrance of my blood of the new testament, which is shed for as many as shall believe on my name, for the remission of their sins.

“And I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall observe to do the things which ye have seen me do, and bear record of me even unto the end.” (Matt. 26:26, including footnote b; Matt. 26:27; JST, Matt. 26:24–25, page 804, LDS Appendix.)

Just as the disciples of old partook of the sacrament, we, too, can partake of the sacrament in church each Sunday. The sacrament prayers tell us that if we always remember Jesus Christ and keep His commandments, we will always have His Spirit with us.

Color the flannel-board figures, then mount them on heavy paper. Cut them out and use them to retell the story, “Remembering Jesus Christ.”

Man with a pitcher of water; Sacrament cup; Unleavened bread; Jesus Christ with the Twelve Apostles.
(Illustrated by Beth M. Whittaker.)

In Remembrance of Me by Walter Rane

Illustrated by Beth M. Whittaker