We do not come to the Lord’s Table to forget anything, we come in faith, for fellowship, in remembrance of Him.
Not everyone drinks to see more clearly, many drink because they see enough and want some kind of escape.
In his poem, “Misery,” George Hebert described this knowledgable forgetfulness.
Man is a foolish thing, a foolish thing,
Folly and Sin play all his game.
His house still burns, and yet he doth sing,
Man is but grass,
He knows it, fill the glass.
“Man is but grass” is inspired truth, it is “the word of the Lord.” So wrote Isaiah (40:6), which the Spirit moved Peter to quote (1 Peter 1:24). The man in Herbert’s focus knew his condition, but wanted the wine to make him forget it.
Depending on which media outlet you’re plugged into, you see that the house around us is on fire. We see it, we do not say that it is fine. And yet, we do sing. We even sing, and know, that “man is but grass.” But, we know more than that!
Get you up to a high mountain,
O Zion, herald of good news;
lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good news;
lift it up, fear not;say to the cities of Judah,
“Behold your God!”
Behold, the Lord God comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.
(Isaiah 40:9-11)
Drink this cup in remembrance of your good Shepherd, who laid down His life for you. Drink of this cup, not to forget the fact that all flesh is grass, but that your flesh will be resurrected just like Jesus’. Remember that, “as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). Remember all you have in Christ, and sing.