There is a human frailty of failing to remember important events and their significance. Even when an effort is made to create a “memory maker”. In Genesis 8:20ff is recorded Noah’s reaction to God after being delivered from the Flood. Noah built an altar and made a covenant with God but soon forgot it in an orgy of drunkenness. His family life suffered tremendously from it. Also, in 1 Samuel 7:12 is the account of Samuel building an altar and setting a memorial stone to the Lord’s deliverance of His people from the Philistines. “Thus far has the Lord helped us” it read. But the Israelites soon forgot the Lord’s deliverance.
You will find the Old Testament sprinkled with the stories of building altars of remembrance but history related they degenerated from reminder to mechanical acts of animal sacrifice to a meaningless decoration on the landscape.
For Christians, the Lord’s Supper is just the same. Jesus gave this dynamic reminder to His first followers and said “do this to remind yourselves of me until I come back.” (Matthew 26:17-30) In the first century it was a dynamic experience for Christians to celebrate the reminder. But then it seems the significance began to lessen and memories got weaker and then it became a decoration in the church program.
Now, in our generation, many people can go to church and participate in the Last Supper (Holy Communion and Lord’s Supper are other names used) and nothing of the true meaning ever grips their hearts or shakes up their living. Instead of tear-filled eyes of gratitude, eyes are dry and blank after being reminded of the most significant event in human history. God’s Son gave His life for our sin! When this happens, the “reminder” has lost it’s power and has become a mere ritual.
Look into your life and examine your history. You may be ignoring some important reminders. Thank God today for His reminders to you.
“Lest we forget, Blessed Redeemer, pour some spiritual ice water on our
memories to awaken us to a fresh reliving of your great love for mankind. Amen”
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