First Annual, by Casey Ferguson

History, any type of history, is something typically seen as respectable or commendable. Commercials for local businesses often include how long they’ve been a part of their community, and clothing stores can’t seem to resist telling customers when they were established. The date is sewn into practically every piece of clothing on their shelves.

Having existed for a certain amount of time is seen as an accomplishment. Having a history makes the statement that an institution hasn’t given up yet; that even as an organization was small and struggling, they never gave up the fight to keep their doors open.

Any time I see the words “1st annual” in front of an event, it makes me laugh a little. Do they know the future?, I ask myself. Have they talked with a fortune teller and learned that they”ll be doing this same charity golf tournament for the next 11 years, or are they just speaking in faith?

It seems a bit presumptuous to say, This is the first time we’ve ever done this, but we promise to do it again, same time next year. Wouldn’t it be more responsible to just wait a year and dub it the “2nd annual” charity golf tournament? At least then you don’t risk your “1st annual” being your “last annual.”

However, Jesus did just this during his last supper as a mortal man with his disciples. Luke 22:19 reads, And He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.”

Jesus and his disciples were celebrating Passover, a yearly Jewish holiday remembering how God had spared the ancient Hebrew sons just before the exodus. It was a celebration established by God for his people over 1,000 years prior to the Last Supper, with Moses. And now Jesus was establishing a new tradition. A new covenant.

In the Old Testament, the Israelites celebrated the fact they had been spared from the Angel of Death. In the New Testament, we see a shift. No longer do God’s people celebrate a salvation achieved through the application of lamb’s blood on door posts in ancient Egypt, but instead we are called to remember the salvation achieved through Christ’s blood on the cross at Calvary. Jesus’ crucifixion took place just hours after this final meal.

When Jesus told his disciples to “do this in remembrance of me,” he was telling them that he would be gone soon, and that they should continue breaking bread together in order to remember his body that was broken for them. He was setting up the First Annual “New” Passover, and he was challenging his disciples to make a habit of thinking differently about their salvation. Basically, he was ushering in a new covenant. How awesome is that?