“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment” (Mark 12.30).

We have been studying, these past few days, the Scriptural backing for each verse of the long-beloved communion hymn, “According to Thy Gracious Word.” Each verse in turn has encouraged us to “remember” various aspects of Christ’s atoning death on Calvary. The final verse looks to the future, when age or illness or even death saps our strength and mind. Surely we will “remember” Him throughout eternity, but there’s more.

And when these failing lips grow dumb And mind and memory flee When Thou shalt in Thy kingdom come, Jesus remember me.

Paul wrote “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). Those who have “confessed” Him have been saved; granted eternal life. This life lasts for all time, even in times of physical frailty. Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32). Jesus even prayed for us, “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am” (John 17:24). Furthermore He said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25).

The hymn’s last two lines remind us of the words of the repentant thief on the cross next to Jesus. “Lord, remember me when thou camest into thy kingdom” (Luke 23:42). The response? “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (v.43). We have no fear, even of death, for He shall remember us. JDM