Communion Remembrance Keeps Fresh Memories of Christ
Doug Redford reflects on Ken Burns’ World War II documentary “The War” and the emotional power of memories preserved by veterans. He connects that idea to Communion, showing how the Lord’s Supper keeps the memory of Jesus’ victory, sacrifice, and promised return fresh for believers.
- Ken Burns’ documentary preserved the memories of World War II veterans before they were lost.
- Communion helps Christians avoid losing fresh memory of Jesus’ sacrifice and victory.
- The weekly Lord’s Supper points believers toward Christ’s return and ongoing spiritual faithfulness.
Remembering the Cost of War
By Doug Redford
During the fall of 2007, Ken Burns’ documentary entitled “The War” was aired on public television stations. (It’s been repeated different times since then.) It is a lengthy and detailed production—a seven-part, 16-hour study of World War II, focusing on the United States’ involvement in that conflict. It’s a very sobering documentary to watch.
Among the most riveting portions of the documentary were those in which American veterans of the war spoke about their experiences. Ken Burns wanted to record these recollections because at the time about a thousand World War II veterans were dying each day, and Burns was concerned that we were, in his words, “hemorrhaging their memories”—hemorrhaging meaning “to lose blood rapidly” as blood is lost when a hemorrhage occurs in the brain. Burns did not want to see such rapid loss happen to the courageous efforts of what many have called “the greatest generation.” (Note that this occurred in 2007, so the number of veterans of the war still living has declined significantly since then.)
Burns started with about 600 potential candidates to interview. Eventually they were narrowed down to 40. Many of the veterans still could not overcome their emotions when they tried to recount their experiences and so they could not be filmed; they could not make it through the interview. It’s amazing to think that even after some 60 years had passed, the memories of war were that fresh and could affect the participants to that degree.
Fresh Memories at the Lord’s Table
When Jesus instituted Communion with his disciples, he provided a means for his followers, then and now, to avoid “hemorrhaging their memories” of what may be designated as “The War”: the “world war” fought between Satan’s kingdom of darkness and Jesus’ kingdom that is “not of this world” (John 18:36). Because of Jesus’ victory over Satan through his death and resurrection, we can be part of the “greatest regeneration,” as described by Paul in Titus 3:5: “He [God our Savior] saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit” (New American Standard Bible). Our weekly observance of Communion is a vital part of keeping the memories of our Savior fresh as well as the promise of his return. Until then, let us faithfully wage our spiritual battle, as the hymn says, “till sin’s fierce war shall cease.”
Author: Doug Redford
Doug Redford has served in the preaching ministry, as an editor of adult Sunday school curriculum, and as a Bible college professor. Now retired, he continues to write and speak as opportunities arise.
