Do this in Rememberance of Me

Monday is Memorial Day.  It’s a day when we, as Americans take time to remember the freedoms that we enjoy came at a price.  Over the years, many men and women have paid the ultimate price to ensure that all Americans have the right to "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

We take the time to honor their sacrifice.  But in this day and age, I have to ask the question: "Do we really understand what it means to honor?"

Honor /hon·orˈänər/ is defined both as a noun and a verb: 

Noun: honour; noun: honor

      1.     High respect; esteem.

      2.     A privilege.

Verb:

1.     Regard with great respect.
2.     Fulfill (an obligation) or keep (an agreement).

To me, honor is more than a parade.  It’s more than eloquent speeches and floral wreaths laid on tombs.  It is an action.  It is living your life understanding and valuing the price that was paid.

As I watch the news stories and posts on social media, I can’t help but think of the bigger picture.  What about their families?  What about the Moms and Dads, sisters and brothers?  What about their spouses and kids?  These men and women had lives that they put on hold to serve their country.  They had plans and dreams.  It is humbling to think of all they sacrificed, so that we may live in freedom.

How do I honor that?  What do I do to show that I value and esteem their sacrifice?  The Word is clear that we are to honor the sacrifices of other’s by putting ourselves in remembrance of what they did.  This is why we celebrate Memorial Day.  We come together as a nation to remember and give thanks to all who laid down their lives so that we may enjoy ours. 

The Word tells us that just before Christ died, he shared a very special moment with his follower’s.  Unbeknownst to them, in the simple act of breaking bread and sharing a drink, they were foretold of an act of Love so great; the world would never be the same.

For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself.  On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you.  Do this to remember me.”  In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood.  Do this to remember me as often as you drink it.”  For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 NLT

Through this act, we honor Christ's life and death.  It’s not merely the partaking, it’s also the remembering.  That is why we take the time to put ourselves in remembrance.  I have often wondered why Jesus chose the elements of bread and wine to symbolize his death.  Could it be because food and drink are necessary to life and he knew that at the very least, we would come together 3 times a day to partake?   

I believe He knew that every time we broke the bread and drank the wine, it would put us in remembrance.   So, I encourage you the next time you “break bread,” to take the time to remember that it symbolizes the Blood that was shed for all, so that we may enjoy Life, Liberty and pursuit of Holiness!