REMEMBERING HIS GREAT SACRIFICE

Today is Memorial Day, a day on which we pause with deep gratitude and remembrance for those who sacrificed so much for our nation soldiers, sailors, and aviators who gave their lives defending the freedoms and democratic principles of our Republic.

The origins of the Memorial Day we now celebrate are significant. Its earliest observance occurred on May 1, 1865, when formerly enslaved people in Charleston, South Carolina, gathered to honor fallen Union soldiers who had died during the Civil War. Their act of remembrance became a symbol of gratitude, sacrifice, and freedom.

Memorial Day reminds us that freedom is never free. Someone had to die. Someone had to suffer. Someone had to sacrifice so that we might enjoy the liberties we possess today.

This truth should cause us to reflect spiritually as well. In a similar manner, for us as Christians to possess freedom from sin, Jesus Christ had to die. He had to suffer, and He had to become the ultimate sacrifice for humanity.

Making this point, Paul wrote in Romans 3:24–25 KJV:

“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: [25] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.”

It is through the offering of Jesus Christ upon the old rugged cross that we are redeemed from our sins. Because of this great sacrifice, we ought to live with continual gratitude toward God.

This is why Christ, before His death, instituted the Communion. Luke 22:17-20 states,

“[17] And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: [18] For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. [19] And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. [20] Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.”

The Lord’s Supper is the memorial of Christ offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice on behalf of all mankind. He died for our sins. He was buried for our sins. He rose from the dead so that we too might rise to walk in newness of life.

This is why Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 11:23–28 KJV:

“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: [24] And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. [25] After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. [26] For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. [27] Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. [28] But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”

As Christians, we are called upon every first day of the week to celebrate the memorial of Christ’s great sacrifice. We clearly see this practice in the early church. Acts 20:7 KJV states:

“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.”

The early Christians assembled together on the Lord’s Day to partake of the Lord’s Supper. Every week they remembered His toil, His suffering, His sacrifice, and His death.

Just as our nation pauses on Memorial Day to remember those who died for earthly freedom, the church pauses every Lord’s Day to remember the One who died to give us eternal freedom from sin. May we never forget the price that was paid for our redemption, and may we honor Christ not only with our words, but also with faithful obedience and grateful living.