Memorial (noun) – 1: something that keeps remembrance alive (Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary).

Memorial Day (previously, but now seldom, called Decoration Day) is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died in the performance of their military duties while serving in the United States Armed Forces (Wikipedia).

One of the most famous speeches in American history was delivered by Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863, at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  In his short but memorable speech, Lincoln said of those gathered there: “In a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground.  The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.”  It was “the honored dead” that hallowed that ground, said Lincoln, for “they gave the last full measure of devotion”: their very lives.

Every first day of the week, Christians all over the world observe a memorial – the Lord’s Supper – to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Who died on the cross to save us from our sins.  Jesus demonstrated “the last, full measure of devotion” by giving His life for us on the cross to pay the price for our redemption and so that we may receive the gift of eternal life (Ephesians 1:7; Romans 6:23).  Read 1 Corinthians 11:20-30 for the Apostle Paul’s instructions regarding the Lord’s Supper.  Acts 20:7 also teaches that the observance of this memorial was one of the primary reasons that the early Christians would meet on the first day of the week.

Why every first day of the week?  Because it matters.  Every week Christians reflect on the Price that was paid for our salvation: the sinless Son of God died for your sins and mine.

The Apostle Peter reminded some Christians of the price that was paid to redeem them from sin: “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV).

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Won’t YOU accept His offer of salvation and eternal life on His terms?

And never forget the Price that was paid for you so that you might live.

David A. Sargent

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

Archived issues of Living Water can be viewed and accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org