A memorial is a monument, statue, holiday, or ritual which serves as a remembrance or reminder of a person or an event. The Feast of the Passover was a memorial of God's sparing the firstborn of the Israelites in Egypt and of Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 12:14). When Israel crossed the Jordan River and occupied the Promised Land, Joshua commanded that 12 stones, representing the 12 tribes of Israel, be set up in the midst of the Jordan (Joshua 4:9). "These stones," he said, "shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever" (Joshua 4:7). When Jesus was in the house of Simon the leper, a woman anointed His head with oil. "Wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world," said Jesus, "what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her" (Matthew 26:13; Mark 14:9). On the eve of His crucifixion Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper (Luke 22:19). The observance of the Lord's Supper is an ongoing Christian memorial that helps the believer remember the sacrifice of Christ on his behalf (1 Corinthians 5:7; 11:25-26).
The Purpose of Memorials. Memorials stir memory. Memorials honor great lives. Memorials commemorate great deeds. Memorials inspire.
The Purpose of the Lord’s Supper. The Supper stirs in our hearts the memory of our Christ: “…in remembrance of me…” (1 Corinthians 11:24-25). The Supper honors the great life of our King: “…this man has done nothing wrong” (Luke 23:41). The Supper celebrates the great sacrifice of our Savior: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:8). The Supper inspires us to greater devotion, service and sacrifice to our Lord: “…present your bodies a living sacrifice…” (Romans 12:1).
Our Prayer: Father, stir in our hearts the memory of the great life, death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Inspire us to greater devotion, service and sacrifice as we reaffirm our covenant with You through Your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
Jason
