Friday, May 26, 2006

Memorial Days

Exodus 13:8 And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, ‘This is done because of what the LORD did for me when I came up from Egypt.’ 9 It shall be as a sign to you on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the LORD’s law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand the LORD has brought you out of Egypt. 10 You shall therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year. (NKJV)

In the States, we are getting ready to celebrate Memorial Day. For many, it will not be a time of tremendous significance- families will have cookouts, eat hamburgers and hotdogs, and probably go for a swim somewhere. Many of our days have lost much of their significance. This is not limited to the secular. In our zeal to distance ourselves from everything legalistic and traditional, we forget that some traditions are good. Traditions are not necessarily bad, unless they somehow undermine the teachings of God's Word and render it of none effect. In fact the NT mentions the Lord's Supper as something that should be repeated until the Lord returns. Each time we partake of the bread and the fruit of the vine, we are making a remembrance of what God in Christ has done for us.

The scripture I posted above deals with the Passover. God was concerned that there was an intentional remembrance made each year of what He had done for them. Not only was He concerned for that generation, but for the generations to come. He wanted them to be able to answer questions about their faith when the children asked the significance. I want to challenge you today- are you (and I) living a life of faith that causes others-especially our family, loved ones, and friends- to ask questions? And if so, are you (and I) prepared to give adequate answers and reasons for the hope that lies within us?

The passage I posted above is but one example of the myriad of ways that God wants us to remember what He has done for us. Perhaps this holiday weekend would be a wonderful time just to sit back and reflect upon everything that Jesus Christ means to you and I. I guarantee that it won't take long before you break forth into singing, praise, and thanksgiving unto the eternal God of glory. I'll close with one of the great doxologies of scripture:

Jude 1:25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

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