In Remembrance

Yesterday, the United States celebrated Memorial Day, honoring members of the U. S. Armed Forces who lost their lives in the line of duty. Even those who oppose all war on principle--or any individual war in particular--do well to remember kindly those who have suffered for the belief that freedom is important. (As one military wife said, "My husband is also defending the right of his fellow Americans to say rotten things about him.")

The day before Memorial Day--and on many another Sunday throughout the year--many of our churches celebrate a far more important memorial as we follow the Scriptural command to "do this in remembrance of me.... whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes" (1 Cor. 11:24, 26, NIV). While we associate "dying for freedom" with struggling to the end, Jesus won the decisive war of all time without once striking back at His attackers. Only by willingly absorbing the worst that the full force of evil could do, could He free others from the evil that enslaved them.

Not everyone who has died for his country has done it with true love or courage, or in a truly honorable cause. But when Jesus died for the world, He displayed the ultimate example of all three. Only by remembering that--and regularly reminding ourselves of its truth--are we prepared to serve Him in love, courage, and humility.

There were twelve men surrounding the table,
And the Leader, Who stood at the head,
His eyes full of love and of sorrow,
Spoke blessing and peace on the bread;
And He said, "Take this loaf as My body,
To be broken so all can be free;
From now on, when you think on God's mercy,
Eat the bread in remembrance of Me."

His death set us free from sin's prison;
His light warms a world dark and grim;
So let us, as we sit at the table,
Take the bread in remembrance of Him.

There were twelve men surrounding the table,
And the Leader took juice from the vine;
His eyes full of love and of sorrow,
He prayed as He poured out the wine;
And He said, "Take this cup as a covenant,
As My blood spilled so all can be free;
From now on, when you think on God's mercy,
Drink the wine in remembrance of Me."

His blood cracked sin's chains that enslaved us;
His gift fills life's bowl to the brim;
So let us, as we sit at the table,
Take the cup in remembrance of Him.

There were few who stood near through His suffering,
When our Savior hung there on the Cross,
Where, eyes full of love and of sorrow,
He prayed for a world that was lost;
But soon hundreds would rally around Him,
As He rose so the world could be free;
And He left them His words for the future:
"Do all this in remembrance of Me."

His sacrifice, freedom, and blessing
Are for us no less than for them;
So let us, as we think on God's mercy,
Eat and drink in remembrance of Him.