Do you know how “Memorial Day” was established? Do you know its original purpose? Unfortunately, many view Memorial Day as simply an opportunity to have a three day weekend and go to the lake. The very purpose has either been forgotten by some or never known by others. After the Civil War, people in the South created special memorials to remember the southern soldiers who died. These were referred to as “Confederate Memorial Days.” In the North it was called “Decoration Day” and most southerners did not recognize this day as it honored northern soldiers who died in the Civil War or as some called it “The War of Northern Aggression.” It was only after World War II that it became known as Memorial Day and was intended to honor all fallen soldiers who gave their lives for their country. But this is lost on many today.
Why do we have a memorial day? Why have days to remember? The answer is simple, because we forget. In the Bible there are a number of memorials. God gave Noah the rainbow as a sign of the covenant that He would never again destroy the world by flood (Genesis 9). To the children of Israel, God gave the Passover as a reminder of the Tenth Plague upon the land of Egypt, the death of the 1st born (Exodus 12.14). There are other memorials in the Bible, but this Sunday at Ham Lane Church we are going to focus on the most important. Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper on the night before His death. The unleavened bread is His body and the fruit of the vine is the blood of the New Covenant (Matthew 26.26-28). We often refer to this as the Lord’s Supper. This Supper is something we do so that we do not forget the amazing sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and more importantly to celebrate His resurrection. Paul stated that as often as we drink this cup and eat this bread we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes (1 Corinthians 11.26). This morning we celebrate a living memorial in that it looks back at Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins but recognizes the fact that Jesus lives today. He is in heaven and will return to take the faithful to heaven. It is important for us not to forget Jesus’ sacrifice, His authority today, and His return in the future.
This memorial is observed by all Christians on the first day of every week (Acts 20.7). Unlike the Passover which was observed only by the Jews or “Decoration Day” observed only by those in the North; this Supper is recognized by all Christians. We are unified in proclaiming Jesus’ death and His return. While there is only one Lord’s Supper, it is commemorated all over the world.