|
Religous: Remembrance Day
Pastor Arnie Wyllie
for South Peace News
Every year, on Nov. 11, we have a ‘Service of Remembrance’. We remember our war heroes on Remembrance Day.
Why do we have a ‘Service of Remembrance’? Someone at the Remembrance Day service last year said, “The soldier’s greatest fear is not dying. The soldier’s greatest fear is being forgotten.”
Lest we forget!
The church also has a ‘Service of Remembrance’. It is a sacrament known in various churches by different names: the Eucharist, the Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion. Communion symbolically recreates the Last Supper of Jesus and His disciples on the evening before His Crucifixion. We recognize and remember the passion and death of Jesus Christ.
Most people have heard someone say, “Jesus died on the Cross for you!” But, most people have no idea what that means exactly. Communion reminds the church community, regularly, of exactly why Jesus Christ died. Communion also reminds us of Jesus’ whole life and purpose.
And of equal importance, we are reminded that – someday soon - Jesus Christ will return.
How can someone who ‘died’ return? We remember Jesus’ death on Good Friday. We celebrate His resurrection from death on Easter. He is alive and lives forever. He told us He will return.
Jesus does not get in the headlines very often - if ever. He is God and our Creator, yet He goes unrecognized, ignored and unknown to much of the world. An even less know fact about Jesus is that He is your Saviour – a living Saviour.
What does Jesus save you from? In this life, Jesus saves you from sin. In eternity, Jesus saves you from hell. This salvation is not “automatic” for everyone. The whole world is not “saved” just because Jesus died on His Cross. By dying in your place, Jesus offers you the “gift of salvation”. Just like any other gift, it has to be received before it belongs to you. You must receive Jesus’ gift of salvation, and by faith, and then believe He has saved you. The church community remembers this and celebrates this reality by means of regular Communion services.
Why do we have a ‘Service of Remembrance’ in the church community? Was Jesus afraid of dying and death.
No! And He proved that.
Was Jesus’ greatest fear, the fear of being forgotten? If ever Jesus “feared” anything, the fear of being forgotten might be it.
But fear was not part of Jesus’ nature. God knows no fear.
However, Jesus is saddened, distressed and distraught when you forget, ignore or you are outright hostile toward Him. Jesus is saddened when those who call Him “Saviour” do not share that reality with others who do not know Him. You forget what He saved you from. You forget that He forgave your sins. You forget that He saved you from an eternity in hell. This saving reality is not something to be hoarded. The salvation of Jesus is something to be shared with all.
Someone prayed for each and every person who repented and asked Jesus for forgiveness. Someone witnessed to each and every person who asked Jesus to be Saviour and Lord. Praying and witnessing are not optional components of a Christian’s life.
During the church’s Communion Service, we “remember” something that has not happened yet. How can that be? What can that be? We remember one of Jesus’ promises. Jesus told us that He will return someday. Once Jesus has returned, God has scheduled a ‘Service of Remembrance’. It will be called Judgment Day!
No one knows when Judgment Day will take place. On this day, God will “remember” all we have done - and not done - with our life. On Judgment Day, will God say to you, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Let us celebrate together!” (Matthew 25:21)
Christians make sure they do not forget Jesus during the Communion service. But, remember Jesus always and all ways, not just on special occasions. Remember Jesus for the eternal good of others and your own good.
Lest we forget!
< Previous
Home
|
