God’s Memorial Days

Webster defines “Memorial” as something that keeps remembrance alive. It can include a monument, like that of the “Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery”. It could be a speech, a recorded event, a ceremony, or even something simply written. If you have seen the statue of Iwo Jima, you know what I am talking about.

But does God do “Memorial Days”? And if he does, what would he use?

We will answer those questions in the next few moments.

INTRO

So, does the God of Heaven, the creator of mankind, do “Memorial Days”? Has he set aside something that would bring back memories?

He began early in the life of the Jewish nation with a clear answer: Yes.

The Jewish people, and the Pharoah of Egypt, had seen 9 different ways in which the God of the Jews, Joseph’s God, was far superior to any Egyptian idol. But the Pharoah remained stubborn and would not release all his Jewish slaves. God told everyone, especially the Jews, to paint their doorposts with the blood of a sacrificial lamb. He said, (Exodus 12:13-14)  “The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.  (14)  “This day shall be for you a MEMORIAL DAY, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.”

On another occasion, God used Joshua, Moses, Aaron and Hur, and all the Israelite army to seriously prevail over the Amalekites. Then God said, (Exodus 17:14) “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.”

God wanted this defeat of Amalek remembered.

When the children of Israel were starting to cross the Jordan River over into the Promised Land, God told Joshua to pick 1 man from each of the 12 tribes. Each of the 12 was to pick up 1 large stone from the MIDDLE of the Jordan River and carried it to where they would camp that night. There they would create a stone memorial.

They could do this impossible feat because God was blocking off the flooded Jordan River and creating dry ground for them to cross.

Joshua told those 12 men, “Joshua 4:6” (6)  that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’  (7)  then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.”

And there are numerous other times when God and his people created Memorials. (See the link on Timeless Talks for the complete list) (Memorial Study: Verses)

So yes, God instituted memorials in the Old Testament, and in the New Testament.

The MOST IMPORTANT Memorial Day that God and his Son ever created was set in motion on the night Jesus’ final Passover Meal was happening. Beginning in verse 14, (Luke 22:14-19)  “And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him.  (15)  And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.  (16)  For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”  (17)  And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves.  (18)  For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”  (19)  And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.”

We find in Acts 20, that the New Testament Church participated in the Lord’s Supper every Sunday. Every Sunday they remembered. They remembered this unbelievable pain and suffering Jesus received. They remembered him on the cross. They remembered his resurrection. All they used was unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine.

They also remembered how great a value they are to God. He let his Son do all this for them. They are valuable. You are valuable.

And each one who obeys Jesus’ commands will realize that through that cross the sin-debt of every person was graciously paid. We just need to obey so we can appropriate those benefits. (Series: Plan of Salvation)

Every last Monday in May, it is good to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for America’s Freedoms. Those Freedoms are not Free.

But it is more important to remember God’s greatest Memorial Event every Sunday.

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We love you, and are here to serve you.

Until we can visit again, Goodbye for now.