Recently, many Americans celebrated Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day. Memorial Day is a day set aside for us to remember those who have given their lives in our nation's service.
On May 5, 1868, General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, officially proclaimed Memorial Day. America first observed this day on May 30, 1868, when its citizens placed flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers whose remains had been buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Over the years, traditional Memorial Day observance has diminished. Many Americans have forgotten its meaning and the associated traditions. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored and neglected. From the remotest antiquity, feasts, games, etc., have been instituted and observed in memory of past grand events.
The question before us, "What mean ye by this service?" is a question that God, through Moses, predicted would be asked by the young people in the nation of Israel. It is anticipated in the context of Exodus 12:26 when the Passover Feast was first instituted.
- What is the meaning of all this care and strictness about eating this lamb, and this unleavened bread?
- Why is this meal so different from other meals?
The parents were to answer, "It is the sacrifice of Jehovah's Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses." (Exodus 12:27) The Passover reminded the Israelites of their history and their future. It looked to the day when the Messiah would die (as the Passover Lamb) for the people.
Later, Joshua spoke in anticipation of a similar question. As the children of Israel passed through the Jordan River, on their way into the promised land, Joshua told them, "Take you up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel; that this may be a sign among you, that, when your children ask in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? then ye shall say unto them, Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of Jehovah; when it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off: And these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel forever." (Joshua 4:5-7) This pillar of stones erected at Gilgal reminded Israel of the power and grace God exhibited when He brought them into Canaan.
Over time, God has expected His people to remember many things. For several of them, He commanded a memorial to help us remember.
- We are to remember those who have been imprisoned because of their faith (Hebrews 13:3).
- We are to remember those who rule over and teach us (Hebrews 13:7).
- Paul asked the Thessalonians to remember him (1 Thessalonians 3:6).
- We would do well to remember the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us (Hebrews 12:1-3).
- Most importantly, however, we must remember Jesus.
Jesus is the greatest person who ever lived. Everything about him (His person, work, influence, etc.) is great. More books have been written, songs sung, and discourses given regarding Jesus than about all other men combined. Remembering Jesus is life's most important responsibility. We observe the Lord's Supper in remembrance of Jesus. It serves as a memorial (Luke 22:19-20). "For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.
In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, this cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) We observe the Lord's Supper on the first day of each week (cf. Acts 20:7). It reminds us of His sacrifice for our sins. Its observance should cause us to commit our lives to His cause. When we observe His Supper, we remember our Lord. But what is it about Jesus that we should remember?
- The life that He lived. Jesus lived a perfect life. Pilate said, "I find no crime in Him." (cf. John 18:38; John 19:4-6)
"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
"For such a High Priest was fitting for us, Who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; Who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people's, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself." (Hebrews 7:26,27)
He became perfect through suffering. "For it became Him...to make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering." (Hebrews 2:10)
He became perfect through obedience. "Though he was a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which he suffered." (Hebrews 5:8)
He was tried in all points like we are; yet, He remained sinless. "For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted." (Hebrews 2:16-18)
"Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:14-16)
His life is my example (cf. 1 Peter 2:21). My life can be like His only when he lives in me. Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me; and the life that I now live, I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me." (Galatians 2:20) It will make a difference in your life. Paul said, "Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death." (Philippians 1:19-20)
- The death that He died. Jesus died the most cruel and inhuman death of that time--crucifixion. Think about and remember how He was treated before He went to the cross.
- Pilate had Him scourged. "... And Pilate therefore took Jesus and scourged him." (John 19:9)
- They beat Him with a multiple-pronged instrument.
- They compelled Him to bear His cross on a back of raw flesh.
- Pilate had Him scourged. "... And Pilate therefore took Jesus and scourged him." (John 19:9)
- The promises He made. They are exceeding great and precious promises (cf. 2 Peter 1:4).
- He promised forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:26ff; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; Hebrews 8:12).
- He promised to be with us (Matthew 18:20; cf. Hebrews 13:5). This is important during times of temptation and times of loneliness and fear.
- He promised to return (John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11). He may come at any time (Matthew 24:36-39, 44). "Be patient, therefore, brethren unto the coming of the Lord." (James 5:7-8)
- He promised us eternal life (Revelation 2:10; 2 Timothy 4:6-8). He made this promise only to those who are "in Christ." "Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." (2 Timothy 2:10) Do you remember the promises of Jesus?
- He promised forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:26ff; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; Hebrews 8:12).
Memorials are important for a nation and for a family. The memorial of our Lord's life, death, and promised return is the most important of all because it reminds us of who we are and where we are going. Remembering these great truths will keep us close to Him, and prepare us for life with Him in eternity.
Memories and memorials are wonderful things. They remind us of important events that touch or shape our lives. Sadly, the religious world misunderstands exactly what our Lord wanted when He established His Memorial Feast.
Two of the most common religious memorials-Easter and Christmas--are not mentioned or observed in the New Testament. Does this mean that we should not remember Christ's birth and resurrection or that they are unimportant? Absolutely not! Christ's work, His personal ministry, the miracles, and His ultimate sacrifice could not have taken place without His being born into this world. Likewise, without Christ's resurrection, His blood could not have been offered and accepted as payment for our sins (Hebrews 9:24-28). Without Christ's resurrection, mankind would have no hope of overcoming death and the grave (Hebrews 2:9-14).
We must ask: do these events justify man-made holidays to remember them? Absolutely not! Why? God did not ask us to set aside days to celebrate Christ's birth and resurrection. Yes, we should believe the Biblical accounts of both events and be thankful to God for what they provided for us. God knew which events He wanted to institute as memorials to be kept by His people. Of all the things Christ experienced, His death is the event He wanted us to remember-every first day of the week. If that is what God wants us to do to honor and respect His will, then that is all we should do. Man has no right or authority to choose other days or memorials for the Lord. Again, man has taken it upon himself to believe he is wiser and more knowledgeable about what God needs. Let us leave well enough alone and remember the ONE memorial He left us. (KMG)