CYPRESSWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

April 17, 2005 

 

KEEP PRAYING FOR:

Our congregation     Our college students 

 

Our nation, military, and leaders   David, Leon and James in the military 

 

Various friends, relatives and co-workers  

 

 

 

REMEMBERING THE PAST 

 

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope" (Romans 15:4). 

 

At the end of this week the Jewish people will celebrate the Passover. Commanded by God as a celebration, it recalled the rescue of the Jews from the slavery of Egypt. The traditional meal begins with a question from a child; "Why are we doing this?" The father then explains the story. It began with who they were when they entered Egypt, a people wandering. He explains their enslavement and then how Moses came and with him the ten plagues and ultimate freedom. Each item on the table represents an aspect of this story. Obviously the lamb represents the blood on the door posts and the meal the night the angel of the Lord past over Israel, killing the firstborn of Egypt from animals to Pharaoh. There is a dip of horseradish, apple and nuts representing the mortar of the bricks they made in Egypt. In fact, we read of Jesus dipping a piece of bread into the sop or bowl (Matthew 26:23). Luke records two cups of wine that they drank. The Passover meal used four to represent various aspects of deliverance and hope. Among the scripture quoted would be Exodus 6:6-8 and the Hallah would be sung (Psalms 113-118). Each year this is an important part of Jewish religion and culture. 

 

It is not uncommon to find items that were meant to be used to recall events or commitments. When Israel crossed the Jordan into the promise land they set up a memorial of that event with rocks from the Jordan. When the two and a half tribes returned to the east side of the Jordan for their inheritance, they too set up a huge memorial so that both the east and west would remember that they were all one. Others made individual reminders of commitment and friendship such as David and Jonathan.  

 

The only one in the New Testament would be the Lord's Supper, following the example of the Passover. Each item represents something about Jesus and His sacrificial death. Yet there is more to the story. We are reminded both of His life and His resurrection, of His example and His final coming. All of this plays a role in our communion or thanksgiving for what God has done in Christ. Rather than narrowing it to only a memorial we should explore the multitude of meanings found in the richness of the Supper.  

 

We all have ways of remembering. Sometimes we call it tradition. A married couple has their rings. Birthdays and special ways each family celebrates them is another. Holidays to some are important, both nationally and religiously. Thanksgiving is a national holiday remembering the beginnings of our nation and God's blessing. Christmas, though not mentioned in scripture, is a reminder of God coming into this world in a unique way to bring salvation to us. 

 

Pictures are a way to remember. From the wedding album to the graduation of the youngest child, we have pictures of our growth together. I saw a report about two English film makers who made silent moving pictures from 1900 to 1913. The film was stored in three barrels in the basement of the building they used and discovered in 1995. Over the next decade it was restored and shows the people of the era riding, walking, joking, smiling, and their dress. Here was an opportunity to see what many had read about during that period of time. Archaeology brings a study of the past to show how people often lived their daily lives.  

 

Memories are important and are often celebrated in different ways. For us it is the common bond we have in Christ and the story of redemption. The Bible is the story of redemption, of what God did, and does, from the beginning to now. That is one reason it is important to study scripture. We want to understand as far as it is possible this redemptive idea that God has brought about for us. Often scripture repeats history as a means of remembering for the benefit of His people (see Psalm 78). As we study we learn more about ourselves and about God, and how through His merciful love and patience He was willing to do what He did at the cross.  

 

Our worship, our assemblies, and our fellowship all contribute to remembering. While we do not emphasize the idea of testimonials, we all have a story to tell about our own rescue from darkness to light. Some will be amazing stories of deliverance, others a recognition of a life well lived based on how they were raised. Another aspect is our music. We sing the story and it places us in the events. It might be at the foot of the cross (When I Survey The Wondrous Cross), a look at our sin filled life (Amazing Grace), a recognition and praise of God (Jesus Is Lord, Holy Lord), and the hope of the future (There's A Stirring). Our songs are a part of who we are and a reminder of our life in Christ. 

 

We often have good and bad memories. Some we want to remember till we die, others we wish we could forget now. But each has in some way formed us and made us who we are today. This is not to say that we should dwell on the bad ones, but we can certainly learn from them to make us better, or more importantly, faithful to God. Even though pain is often involved in the bad memories, our attitude in approaching or remembering them can make us weaker or stronger.  

 

God has given us a mind to remember with and a number of ways of remembering. It is a means of teaching and development of faith. It challenges us to continue in our walk no matter how difficult. You might remember the song Precious Memories. It talks about echoes from the past, from our travels through the years, and how those memories linger, especially in the stillness of the night. To recall the past and to look forward to the future is part of our life. While the Jewish people celebrate the Passover, we too can be reminded of those same events and much more, an event that brings life; the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

 

 George B. Mearns