Should the annual memorial commemorating Christ's death be simple or complex and ritualistic?

That is just a load of propaganda that comes out of the JW headquarters in New York city.

I'd like to take a 5' piece of rubber hose to these Jesus freaks.

Seems quite the opposite to me, propaganda is claiming politics is the way to peace and security, not WW3

8 Jesus also showed courage by setting aside any anxiety he may have had and by focusing attention on the needs of his faithful apostles. The simple meal, which he introduced after dismissing Judas, would remind those who would become his anointed followers of the benefits of Jesus’ shed blood and of sharing in the new covenant. (1 Cor. 10:16, 17) To help them prove worthy of their heavenly calling, Jesus told his followers what he and his Father expected of them. (John 15:12-15) Jesus also told the apostles of the trials that lay ahead of them. Then, pointing to his own example, he urged them to “take courage!” (John 16:1-4a, 33) Many years later, Jesus’ disciples were still following his self-sacrificing course and displaying courage. At great cost to themselves, they supported one another in their various trials.—Heb. 10:33, 34.

9. How can we imitate Jesus in showing courage?

9 Likewise today, we follow Jesus’ example of showing courage. For instance, it takes courage to assist our brothers who are persecuted because of their faith. At times, our brothers may be unjustly imprisoned. When that happens, we must do all that we can for them, including speaking up in their behalf. (Phil. 1:14; Heb. 13:19) Another way we show courage is by continuing to preach “with boldness.” (Acts 14:3) Like Jesus, we are determined to preach the Kingdom message, even though people may oppose and persecute us. At times, however, we may find that we lack courage. What can we do?

10. In the weeks leading up to the Memorial, what should we do, and why?

10 We can strengthen our courage by thinking about the hope that the ransom sacrifice of Christ makes possible for us. (John 3:16; Eph. 1:7) In the weeks leading up to the Memorial, we have a special opportunity to build our appreciation for the ransom. During that time, keep up with the Memorial Bible reading and prayerfully meditate on the events surrounding Jesus’ death. Then when we gather for the Lord’s Evening Meal, we will understand more fully the significance of the Memorial emblems and the matchless sacrifice that they represent. When we appreciate what Jesus and Jehovah have done for us and understand how it benefits us and our loved ones, our hope grows stronger, and we are motivated to endure courageously to the end.—Heb. 12:3.

St the last supper did the apostles know Jesus' covenant ment they were going to heaven?

Leave it to man to complicate what is simple. Every minute of every day is a memorial to the KING! Do you treat it as such?

Good thought but no, I'm not really that focused.

Some news for you.

Jesus Christ is alive and well.

No need for a death memorial.

He lives!

So then will he be seeing you commemorating his sacrifice for you?

Last Edited by DGN on 04/02/2019 11:47 AM

11-12. What have we learned so far?

11 So far we have learned that the Lord’s Evening Meal reminds us not only of the precious ransom but also of Jesus’ outstanding qualities of humility and courage. How grateful we can be that Jesus continues to display these qualities as our heavenly High Priest, who pleads in our behalf! (Heb. 7:24, 25) To show our heartfelt appreciation, we must loyally commemorate Jesus’ death, just as he commanded. (Luke 22:19, 20) We do this on the day that corresponds to Nisan 14, the most important date of the year.

12 We can discern from the simple features of the Lord’s Evening Meal another quality that moved Jesus to die for us. As a man on earth, he was known for this quality. What was it?

JESUS IS LOVING

13. How do John 15:9 and 1 John 4:8-10 describe the love that Jehovah and Jesus have shown, and who benefit from their love?

13 Jesus perfectly reflected Jehovah’s intense love for us in everything that he did. (Read John 15:9; 1 John 4:8-10.) Above all, Jesus was moved from the heart to give his life in our behalf. Whether we are of the anointed or of the “other sheep,” we benefit from the love that Jehovah and his Son have shown to us by means of that sacrifice. (John 10:16; 1 John 2:2) Think, too, about the very nature of the Memorial meal; it reveals Jesus’ love and consideration for his disciples. How so?

Jesus lovingly instituted a Memorial ceremony that was simple enough to be observed over many centuries and under various circumstances (See paragraphs 14-16) *

14. In what way did Jesus show love for his disciples?

14 Jesus showed love for his spirit-begotten followers by instituting, not a complicated ritual, but a simple meal for them to observe. As time passed, those anointed disciples needed to observe the Memorial each year, doing so under various circumstances, including imprisonment. (Rev. 2:10) Were they able to obey Jesus? Yes, they were!

Jesus lovingly instituted a Memorial ceremony that was simple enough to be observed over many centuries and under various circumstances (See paragraphs 14-16) *

14. In what way did Jesus show love for his disciples?

14 Jesus showed love for his spirit-begotten followers by instituting, not a complicated ritual, but a simple meal for them to observe. As time passed, those anointed disciples needed to observe the Memorial each year, doing so under various circumstances, including imprisonment. (Rev. 2:10) Were they able to obey Jesus? Yes, they were!

15-16. How have some been able to observe the Lord’s Evening Meal under difficult conditions?

15 Down to modern times, true Christians have sought to commemorate Jesus’ death. They followed the procedure for the Lord’s Evening Meal as best they could, sometimes under difficult conditions. Note the following examples. While in solitary confinement in a Chinese prison, Brother Harold King had to be innovative. He discreetly prepared the Memorial emblems, using what he had on hand. He also calculated the date for the Memorial as carefully as he could. When the time came for the commemoration, he—alone in his cell—sang, prayed, and gave a Scriptural talk.

16 Here is another example. A group of sisters imprisoned in a concentration camp during World War II risked their lives to commemorate the Lord’s Evening Meal. However, because of the meal’s simple nature, they were able to observe the Memorial discreetly. They reported: “We stood close together in a circle, in the midst a footstool with a white cloth bearing the emblems. A candle lit the room, as electric light might have betrayed us. . . . We expressed anew our fervent vows to our Father to use all our strength for the vindication of His holy name.” What outstanding faith they showed! And what love Jesus displayed when he made it possible for us to observe the Memorial even under difficult circumstances!

it means it should be done in small group of no more than 12 at home and not in some huge church after some lame 45 minute speech heavily opinionated.

Jesus' covenant was introduced to his twelve apostles but included the 144,000 chosen to serve as assistant kings in heaven. Anyone not wanting to hear a memorial appreciation talk explaining the significance is free to decline their invitation.

according to JWs


but from Jesus perspective

a small gathering of his closest friends to send him off

He didn't foresee the twelve increasing into tens of thousands?

17. What questions might we ask ourselves?

17 As the Memorial approaches, we do well to ask ourselves the following questions: ‘How can I imitate Jesus more closely in showing love? Do I think more about the needs of my fellow worshippers than about my own? Do I expect more from my brothers and sisters than they can give, or am I aware of their limitations?’ May we always imitate Jesus and show “fellow feeling.”—1 Pet. 3:8.

KEEP THESE LESSONS IN FRONT OF YOU

18-19. (a) Of what can we be sure? (b) What are you determined to do?

18 The requirement to observe the Memorial of Christ’s death will not last much longer. When Jesus “comes” during the great tribulation, he will gather his remaining “chosen ones” to heaven, and the Memorial will cease to be commemorated.—1 Cor. 11:26; Matt. 24:31.

Jeremiah 31
31 “Look! The days are coming,” declares Jehovah, “when I will make with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah a new covenant.
32 It will not be like the covenant that I made with their forefathers on the day I took hold of their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, ‘my covenant that they broke, although I was their true master,’* declares Jehovah.”

33 “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares Jehovah. “I will put my law within them, and in their heart I will write it. And I will become their God, and they will become my people.”

Have you ever eaten the meal yourself?

The bread and the wine?

No I'm not invited to serve as assistant king in heaven, Just hoping to qualify to be among the meek who inherit the earth.

I'm working on it, give me a thousand years please, check back then.