Did you ever wonder why God is so big on “remembering”?
God gave Israel 6 major feasts that were all about remembering. Passover was all about remembering God’s passing over and sparing them in Egypt. Unleavened Bread was so that they would remember their quick departure from evil Egypt. Weeks (Pentecost) was for remembering God’s blessings after their yearly crop harvest. Trumpets was to remember with anticipation the 2 upcoming celebrations in the special 7th month. Atonement was to remember the covering of the sins of the people. Booths was to remember the journey through the wilderness before entering the Promised Land. Each feast was all about remembering.
When Christ instituted His NEW COVENANT for His followers, that emphasis on remembering didn’t change.
Lk 22:19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
1 Cor 11:23-26 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
The early church obeyed Jesus’ words by remembering His death when they observed communion.
Ac 20:7 On the first day of the week we came together to break bread.
Ac 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Today’s believers continue the emphasis on remembering every time we proclaim the LORD’s death by observing communion.
But that’s not the only emphasis on remembering that is part of today’s Christian life. I’m writing this 7 days before Thanksgiving. True, it is a national holiday, but for me it a special time to thank God for every way He has blessed my family. Part of that thanksgiving is national; I thank God for living in America and for the blessings He has poured out on this country. But most of it will be about God’s blessings of His grace, mercy, salvation, etc.
Then right around the corner will come another “remembering”: CHRISTmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus, the Messiah.
Then before long there will be the greatest remembering for Christians: RESURRECTION SUNDAY. That day is the greatest celebration day every year. Nothing can compare with Christ’s victory over Satan by conquering death for anyone who would be His faithful follower.
I know there are some people, even some Christians, who choose not to celebrate and remember God’s blessings on Thanksgiving. Some also choose not to celebrate and remember Christ’s birth at CHRISTmas time. Some also choose not to celebrate and remember Christ’s resurrection on RESURRECTION SUNDAY. That is their scriptural right according to Rom 14:5-6 Some consider one day more sacred than another; others consider every day alike. Everyone should be fully convinced in their own mind. Those who regard one day as special do so to the Lord.
But I am one of those who choose, on all 3 of those days, to “regard one day as special” and to “do so to the LORD.” I hope and pray that you will join me and that you will “do so to the LORD.” God bless.
