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CHRISTIAN LIVING TODAY
Guest Column
Memorial Day is a holiday for remembrance of those who died in service to our country. It was first widely observed May 30, 1868. Over time, we’ve drifted somewhat—the holiday has become the kickoff to summer fun and travel.
It seems fewer and fewer Americans celebrate the day by honoring the sacrifice of those willing to give their lives, our fallen soldiers. I once visited a small county courthouse and was struck by the vibrant display of American flags.
There are many parallels between our Christian beliefs and American Memorial Day. In Christianity, we honor THE fallen—the one who willingly gave His life for the cause, our salvation, our redemption, our only opportunity to be reconciled to God.
Many Scripture verses call us to celebrate.
Luke 15:32 says, “It is appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for our brother or sister who was dead (in sin) is now alive; he or she was lost and is now found.”
Exodus 12:14 says the Passover “shall be to you a memorial day, and you shall keep it throughout your generations.” The Passover referred to in Exodus is rich with meaning, pointing ultimately to Jesus shedding His blood on the cross. God instructed Moses to tell the enslaved Israelites to put the blood of an unblemished lamb on the doorposts and entrances of their homes. When God passed through their area in judgment, those behind the blood were saved.
Like the lyrics of the old hymn, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” That is our Christian Memorial Day— when Jesus shed His blood for our sin.
There is another memorial I love—a pile of stones in the middle of a river, mentioned in Joshua 4:9. The stones were to serve as a reminder and a teaching tool for children, a sign of God’s goodness and provision.
Some people today place memorial stones in their gardens or flower beds. Sometimes they are decorated, but always they serve as reminders of a meaningful moment with God—a time of miracle, a moment of answered prayer, a conscious act of remembrance.
God knows we’re not always good at remembering. A search shows that the Bible contains more than 10,000 admonitions to “do not forget” or “remember.”
What’s your memory score—good, fair or poor? I pray we all remember and give grateful praise. Until next week, Anita
Onarecker, an Elgin resident, author of “Divine Appointment: Our Journey to the Bridge” and minister to women and adults, earned a Master of Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2007.
