Mike’s Musings ….
MEMORIAL DAY
Armed Forces Day is for those who currently wear the uniform; Veterans Day is for those who used to wear the uniform; Memorial Day is for those who never made it out of their uniform! Yes, those are the standards our nation uses to determine who is honored on these patriotic days. It would seem to shameful degree that patriotism is waning from the esteemed degree it once held among the citizens of this country. Perhaps it has to do with the way I was raised, but respect for those who served our country in any field of military service must never diminish!
It was my honor to march in many Memorial Day parades, and then play TAPS for Memorial Day services throughout my high school days. That honor had to be earned; the highest honor being the “echo” of TAPS, which honor I also received. I’ve set several Bronze Plaques at the graves of veterans. I’ve even been asked to deliver the address for Memorial Day services. While such dignity is expected from those of us who remain appreciative of those whose military service defended our freedoms, and those who still defend them, there is a higher dignity we Christians must observe!
Freedom from sin, what the apostle Paul called, “liberty in Christ,” (Galatians 5:1) came only because of the shedding of our Lord Jesus Christ’s blood (Hebrews 9:22 – 28.) We honor that tremendous sacrifice each first day of the week (Acts 20:7) by remembering Him until He returns (1 Corinthians 11:26). The memorial consists of unleavened bread, and the fruit of the vine (Matthew 26:26 – 29): the bread a fitting memorial of His body and the fruit of the vine a fitting memorial of His shed blood. There are no parades, no playing of TAPS, no lengthy speeches, but a humble yet reverent time of remembrance of what Jesus did for us!
I’ve often mused as to what someone might have said had there been a funeral service for Jesus. But as in Lincoln’s two-minute address at Gettysburg in tribute to those who died on that battlefield, what we would say or do at the Lord’s memorial, “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here …” But the purpose is not to conduct a funeral, but rather attend one – placing ourselves as Christians in a mindset by which we completely discern the Lord’s death (1Corinthians 11:29). How we partake of this memorial is to be reverently and with understanding of the purpose of His death, remembering Him and not another! We cannot remember something or someone we have never known. We know Him by keeping His commandments (1 John 2:3). Therefore, those who have NOT obeyed Him cannot possibly remember Him. With fifty-two “memorial days” in honor of Jesus Christ, one would think the reverence for Him would increase more and more! I muse on that consideration as well. Oh, how we must love Him for dying for us!