By Dr. Barry Thornton

I carry a laminated picture of my wife in my wallet. It’s been there more than 34 years, the full extent of our married lives. When I pull the picture out of my wallet, sacred memories of 34 years of marriage rush to my mind and heart. It is among the most precious items I possess.

Although the laminate and paper are a limited representation of my wife, they perfectly represent the memories I have of one I love deeply. I carry her picture close to me as a token of our relationship. Even when we’re apart, her picture serves as a sacred reminder of commitment, life shared, and love.

A Sacred Picture

When we come together to share the Lord’s Supper, we come face to face with a perfect picture of one we love dearly. Since the first day we became his “bride,” we were given a weekly reminder to be laminated in our memories for all time and eternity. This “picture” is described by Jesus, himself, as he instructed us to remember his body and blood when we share the emblems of the Lord’s Supper, a picture painted with the bright hues of fruit of the vine and unleavened bread, all brought together to depict unfailing love. 

A Sacred Promise

Jesus said, “For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God” (Luke 22:16). Jesus’ betrayal, suffering, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection began as a series of events in an upper room where Jesus created a sacred picture. This picture announced a sacred promise that would transcend time and eternity, finding its ultimate fulfillment at the wedding supper of the Lamb. Here we will cast aside the picture in lieu of the promise’s fulfillment. Until then, we have a picture to remind us of this great promise, and, most of all, his great love!

Dr. Barry Thornton and his wife, Janet, live in Moberly, Missouri, where he serves as director of development, instructor, and church consultant with Central Christian College of the Bible.