Memorial Day
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.
Today in the United States is Memorial Day. Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day when the nation’s war dead were remembered and graves were decorated with flowers. Even before the end of the Civil War the graves of those who died in the south were being decorated and remembered. Memorial Day was first officially observed on May 30, 1868 when flowers were placed on the graves of Confederate and Union soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The day is celebrated in almost every state now on the last Monday in May. Instead of flowers there are now flags being placed on the graves of those who served the U.S. Military. However, even with a national Memorial Day many believe that there are a vast number in the United States who do not know and understand about the traditions of this day or even why it is observed. On Memorial Day we mourn the loss of loved ones, remember their lives, and are thankful for their sacrifice.
As Christians we have a most important event to remember – the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus on the cross almost 2,000 years ago. Our Lord prior to His crucifixion instituted one of the ordinances of the church in order that we might not forget. The Lord’s Supper or Communion is observed in all Christian denominations as commanded by Jesus. It is a vivid picture and reminder of the cost of the sacrifice of Jesus. As we observe the Lord’s Supper we should morn the loss, the great cost of God’s Son dying in our place, we should remember how Jesus lived His life, and rejoice in the salvation given to all those who believe in Jesus as their personal Savior.
Why did Jesus have to die? Because as Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and the wages for those sins is death (Romans 6:23a). What should have happened to us because of our sins is death, eternal death. But Jesus came to give us life providing a way for us to escape this eternal death sentence as Paul writes in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
As we observe the Lord’s Supper we should remember that the crucifixion of Jesus was undeserved in that Jesus lived a perfect life. The writer of Hebrews says, “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 (Hebrews 4:15).”
Finally as we observe the Lord’s Supper we should rejoice in this great salvation given to us at such great cost. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57).”
The Lord’s Supper/Communion is observed at varying frequencies by different denominations and churches. However, as ransomed saints of God we should always have upon our hearts and minds the great sacrifice and salvation given freely to us by our God through Jesus. We should never let a day go by without remembering and thanking Him for what He has done. For the Christian every day should be a Memorial Day.
(For the Christian every day should be a memorial day of remembrance of the sacrifice of our Lord.)