MEMORIAL DAY

Tomorrow, our nation will celebrate Memorial Day to honor those who have given their lives in our nation’s service. There will be parades, programs, and fireworks as we honor and remember those who have given so much to keep this nation free for over 200 years. However, traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country.

Today is also Memorial Day, as is every Sunday. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Paul writes, “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes (emphasis mine –LR). When we partake of the Lord’s Supper we are remembering what He did for us.

We are to examine ourselves as we partake and partake of the memorial feast properly (1 Corinthians 11:27-29). I can remember as a child some Christians refusing to partake of the Lord’s Supper because they were not worthy. I am sure you have heard that Paul’s instructions here refer to the manner in which we partake, not the worthiness of the one partaking. No one is worthy in and of himself. However, Christ makes us worthy. It is true that Paul is speaking of our manner in partaking. We must be sure to observe this memorial with reverence and respect. It is not something to do casually or mockingly. It is not something to do to fill in time, or something to do between playing with the baby in front of you and thinking about who will win the game this afternoon. What we are doing during this part, and every part, of our worship is to be taken seriously.

Just as stated earlier about the observance of Memorial Day being neglected, Christ’s Memorial Day is as well. There are those who will sleep late, go fishing, stay home with company, etc. They will be doing these things when they should be assembling with other Christians to remember Christ and His sacrifice. Others will observe it, but not in the proper manner. Yes, it is a good thing to honor our fallen soldiers. How much more important is it that we remember and honor our fallen (crucified) and resurrected Savior. It is the right thing to do every first day of the week.
--Lamar