Forget Them Not

“...and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
1 Corinthians 11:24-26

It seems time has flown as vast parts of the planet and especially the U.S. stop for a moment to remember the tragic and senseless losses of 9/11. Fourteen years have gone by and in the wake of that terrible day another day of remembrance was born. 9/11 is not the only day that the humans of this planet take time to remember the sacrifices others have made for us. In America it is Memorial Day. England observes Remembrance Day, Australia and New Zealand remembers on Anzac Day. In the Netherlands it’s Dodenherdenking and Armistice Day in Belgium. It’s important to not forget the sacrifice of others who have allowed us to live free.

This week’s passage reflects the importance of remembering the sacrifices made. Jesus was preparing his disciples for what was about to happen. The Son of God was about to make the ultimate sacrifice, laying down His life to free them and us from sin and death and His followers were going to face some really hard things and they would need to remember His death was part of a divine plan and the start of a new and better covenant between God and mankind.

Jesus went to the cross, choosing to sacrifice His life for ours. Every day first responders around the world answer the call to serve and protect, never knowing when their lives will be demanded of them as they carry out their duties. Each day members of our Armed Forces and the Armed Forces around the world willingly put themselves in harm’s way to protect our freedom and the freedom of others. It is good to have special days set aside to remember the courageous men and women who willingly lay down their lives daily.

Let us not forget the sacrifice that makes us eternally free. Let us not forget the sacrifices of those who serve and protect us every day. Let us forget them not.

A Prayer
Father, because of Your Son’s sacrifice we live free from sin and death, may we never forget that. Help us to live in a way that is a constant remembrance of that sacrifice – showing love, grace and mercy to those around us. Thank you that you have put it on the hearts of so many to willingly put their lives in harm’s way to serve and protect us, grant them divine protection and draw them near to you so that they have your power and strength. Help us to forget them not as we go about our lives every day. In the name of Jesus we pray – Amen.