Remembering is so very important. There are people, places and events that we remember. We leave ourselves reminder notes to help us remember to get things done on time.
A man was working in his backyard one day, when his neighbor began talking to him over the fence. He said, "Yeah, my wife and I went to one of those seminars yesterday, you know, where they teach you ways to improve your memory and such."
His neighbor commented, "Really. What was the name of the speaker?"
The man answered, "Ah, ah, what's the name of that flower that smells so good and has thorns?"
"You mean a rose?"
"Yeah, that's it." He called over his shoulder, "Rose, what was the name of that speaker we heard yesterday?"
We often have a hard time remembering things. My memory has gotten so bad I figure that within a few years I'll be able to hide my own Easter eggs.
The Lord knows how short our memories are, so throughout the Bible we find Him reminding us of things again and again, and even doing things to help us remember. Jesus used parables and items around Him in those parables, to help people remember what He taught; but in the whole Bible there is no reminder more important or significant than the one He established the night before His crucifixion. It is Communion, the Lord's Supper, our Memorial Meal.
There are other memorials built to people and causes remembering the people and the sacrifices and accomplishments that they made for our freedom.
I’ve read that Memorial Day was originally begun by former slaves on May, 1, 1865. The ceremony was held in Charleston, SC to honor 257 dead Union Soldiers who had been buried in a mass grave in a Confederate prison camp. The former slaves dug up the bodies and worked for 2 weeks to give them a proper burial.
Then they held a parade of 10,000 people led by 2,800 black children who marched through the streets celebrating the sacrifice of these men.
Now, the first “official” Memorial Day was celebrated a few years later. I read that a group of women asked the War Department for permission to put flowers on the graves of soldiers buried at Arlington Cemetery. Permission was finally granted to do so, but a stern order was attached to the permission: No flowers were to be placed on the graves of the Confederate soldiers.
The confederates were buried in a segregated section of the cemetery.
The ladies carried out their task and carefully followed their instructions. A crowd gathered for the commemoration at which General Grant gave a speech.
But shortly after the ceremony concluded, they say a strong gust of wind blew through the cemetery… and the wind blew almost all the flowers into the Confederate section.
After that the separation was never repeated. Many believed that the wind had sent by the hand of God. Now, how many of you knew that about Memorial Day?
And yet, even though that event took place a mere 150 years ago, not only do many folks not know that Memorial Day was begun after the Civil War, but there are many who don’t know that Memorial Day has since been set aside to honor the dead of all American wars since that date.
Christians have a Memorial Day each and every first day of the week. “Do this in remembrance of me” The Lord’s Supper is a memorial that allows us to remember what Jesus did for us on the cross. The Lord’s Supper is a living Memorial to Christ. All our thoughts and our focus should be on Christ as we remember and celebrate the freedom we received from sin. The Lord’s Supper is a time of thanksgiving! Jesus was with His disciples in the upper room and He instructed them concerning a new memorial feast.
Matthew 26:26 (NIV)
26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
We eat the bread in memory of Christ’s body, in memory of His sacrificial death.
Matthew 26:27-28 (NIV)
27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
We drink the fruit of the vine in memory of Christ’s blood that was shed on the cross, and further reminds us that only through the shed blood of Christ on the cross can we have forgiveness of sins.
1 Corinthians 11:24 (NIV)
24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
As Christians we hold something in common as we commune or participate together. The lord’s Supper not only recalls the past, but unifies the present as we commune together as likeminded Christians looking to the day in obedience that the Lord will come again.
How should we observe the Lord’s Supper?
1 Corinthians 11:27-29 (NIV)
27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier pays respect to the remains of unidentified soldiers. The Tomb at Arlington National Cemetery is guarded 24 hours per day, 365 days per year by specially trained member of the 3rd U.S. Infantry on the back of the Tomb are the words:
“HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD”
You will not go watch this Memorial without reverence and quietness. We as Christians should remember to observe the Lord’s Supper in a reverent and worthy manner. Not talking, whispering, or thinking about lunch or what we are doing later!
Vs 28 says to examine ourselves as we partake. We should reflect upon our spiritual condition.
What has the Lord done for you?
An Indian, when asked what the Lord had done for him, gathered some dry leaves into a circle. He placed a worm in the center and set them on fire. As the flames drew nearer on every side and were about to consume the worm, he lifted it out and placed it on a rock. Then he looked up and said this is what Christ has done for me.
Job 25:4-6 (KJV)
4 How then can man be justified with God? Or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?
5 Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight.
6 How much less man, that is a worm? And the son of man, which is a worm?
So all men whom Job calls worms would have been condemned to eternal torment, but Christ lifted them out of their affliction, even as the Indian said, “This is what Jesus Christ did for me”
The Lord’s Supper is a very special Memorial, a living Memorial to Christ’s death for our sins. We should continue steadfastly in its observance.
Acts 2:42(KJV)
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
As we come together on the first day of the week as instructed, we should never lose significance of its meaning. It serves as a reminder of the sacrifice Jesus paid for our sins.
Roger Rose tells this story: When he was a boy more than 60 years ago, his young brother was fatally injured in a tragic accident. A dirt road ran alongside their house, and only on rare occasions would there be a car on it. But one day as his brother was crossing on his bike, a car came roaring over the hill, and he was run over and killed. Mr. Rose said, “Later, when my dad picked up the mangled, twisted bike, I heard him sob out loud for the first time in my life! He carried it to the barn and placed it in a spot we seldom used. Father’s terrible sorrow eased with the passing of time, but for many years whenever he saw that bike, tears began streaming down his face. Since then I have often prayed, ‘Lord, keep the memory of your death that fresh in me! Every time I partake of your memorial supper, let my heart be stirred as if it occurred only yesterday. Never let the communion service become a mere formality, but always a ten-der and touching experience.’”
