Out of death, life!

Out of death, life!

Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of the Summer season, is also a time to remember.  We consciously note the sacrifices of thousands who have died defending the interests of our nation, protecting us and our way of life.  We remember that blood was spilled, tears were shed, so that our nation could exist.  My earnest hope this weekend is that we will remember the principles of liberty and justice that first inspired the formation of these United States and press those we elect to govern us to honor them so that those who died, will not have died in vain.  

Christians remember a sacrifice, too.  Jesus, at the Jewish Passover meal on the night before His death, told the disciples (and us) we must not forget the Gift of God that brought us peace. “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 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.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." (Luke 22:15-21, NIV)

Disciple, we must not allow the ritual surrounding Communion to obscure the memory of the Cross.  Jesus died; not by accident, not solely because of political/religious intrigue, not as a martyr – but to be “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”   He gave Himself!  His death, which we remember, was foreshadowed in the ancient Passover, the night in Egypt when those households of faith, who put the blood of a lamb on their doorposts, were spared the grim visit of the death angel. (Exodus 12) The slain lamb was then prepared and the meal consumed to give them strength for the exodus that would happen the next day. They acted in faith and obedience, to receive the gift of God’s grace.  So, do we! 

Jesus offered Himself as our Lamb, sparing those who trust in Him, the judgment of God and death.  He feeds us so that we can be strong spiritually, ready for the journey from slavery to sin to joyful and holy freedom in the Spirit. And so, as we remember with saints from all the ages, we will sing and with the angels who praise Him:  “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” (Revelation 5:11-13, NIV)

If you’re an American, regardless of your political leanings, please remember on Memorial Day. Honor those who paid the ultimate price for this nation.  If you’re a Christian, remember that you are part of a “holy nation,” the people of God.  And give thanks for the Ultimate Sacrifice that makes us free from sin’s judgment, calls us to whole and holy living, and opens wide the Door to our Father’s house.

Lord, from our remembering of Your dying, may we be inspired to noble living. Amen.

Here’s a lengthy word from the Word. 

"Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.

And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 5:13-6:2, NIV)