"Memorial Day
is a United States federal holiday
which occurs every year on the final Monday of May. Memorial Day is a day of
remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Formerly known
as Decoration Day, it originated
after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil
War. By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans
who have died while in the military service." (Wikipedia)
Remembering those who were willing to give their life for
you shouldn't take a special day. It shouldn't have to be declared by a
government to make it something special. However it seems to be human nature to
forget some of the most important events or people. We don't mean to, we have
the best intentions, but somehow it just happens that we forget.
Jesus knew human nature and understood our weaknesses.
That's why he instituted things in his church such as "Communion" or
"The Lord's Supper". He knew that although we have the best
intentions, we would eventually forget his sacrifice, unless we were constantly
reminded.
In Mathew 26:26-28
we read, "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke
it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he
took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the
remission of sins." (KJV)
The apostle Paul explains it in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 in this way, "For I pass on to you what I
received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord
Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces
and said, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember
me." In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying,
"This cup is the new covenant between God and his people, an
agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as
you drink it."
I encourage you to celebrate Memorial Day. Celebrate the day
that remembers those of our military who were willing to die that you might
live free. But more than that, I encourage you to meet with your church,
partake of Communion and remember the one who died that you might live free
eternally.
