Remembering

It's funny how holidays come & go...and we often don't pause to consider their significance. I suppose we do that in many areas of life, it seems we're so busy getting "there" we don't take the time to notice where we "are" or where we "were". We have holidays or times of celebration all the time: birthdays, anniversaries, federal or state holidays, religious "holy" days etc... We just passed Memorial Day, which is a day all about "remembering"...which is ironic since we seem to lack the focus & where-with-all to do so (most of the time). In short, in the United States, Memorial Day is a day we take to 'remember' those that have given their life to provide us our freedoms. It marks a time when we as a nation remember the sacrifice of so many over our history who have fought all types of wars to protect, preserve & defend our nation. In this we remember and honor those that have given the greatest sacrifice. The bible says that "there is no greater love than this, that a man lay down His life for another." In proper context, it is speaking of Jesus, who was about to do that very thing...but the principle of self-sacrifice...even unto death...is the ultimate expression of love. In Christian circles we remember Jesus death of love on Good Friday...in a sense, its the Jesus followers "Memorial Day". What is interesting is that so much of this event is tied to another time of remembrance...Passover. Passover is a holiday...or holy day...for the Jewish people. It marks a very special day when God did something worth remembering for them. God protected, preserved & defended the Jewish people quite literally, at this time. It was kinda like the old movie, most of us have seen with Charlton Heston, but with less of the cheesy special effects. In short, the Jews were slaves under the Egyptians at this time...and Moses was asked by God to ask Pharaoh (the ruler of Egypt) to release his people. Well after several miraculous events to "warn" Pharaoh...he still refused. Finally, in a final warning, God through Moses warned Pharaoh that all first born males would die that night, unless the Jews were released. A warning, most would have heeded with so much at stake (and evidence of several other "warnings" coming to pass), yet Pharaoh refused. God had the Jewish people prepare to leave, and in preparation they were told to have a meal, that would include a "lamb". They were instructed to take the lamb's blood, and mark their doorposts with it. This would serve as an indication that this home was occupied by Jewish folks, and God promised that all homes marked with the blood of the lamb would be spared the death of their first born son. Horribly, that night, the only homes unmarked were the Egyptians, and their first born sons died...including Pharaoh's own son...that very evening. Pharaoh finally cracked and released the Jewish people from captivity. OK, now you ask, why the little bible lesson dude? It all seems kind of morbid and creepy? Well, I say this brief depiction so that you may know "why" Passover is such a big deal to Jewish folks...even today! It is a huge time of "remembering" an incredibly significant time when God showed up "big time" for the Jewish people, to protect them...preserve their nation...and defend them from cruel bondage. What is amazing, is that this parallels so many elements of the "Christian Memorial Day"...Good Friday. Jesus' Last Supper...was actually the Passover meal. Jesus said "He was the Lamb of God". Jesus was about to die to destroy the bondage of sin & death over His people...to set people free for all eternity! His blood (as creepy as this sounds) actually marks the doorposts of the hearts of those that are His...and protects them from the consequence of sin. In a nutshell, this is the "good news" the bible speaks of. That because of God's great love for us...He allowed Jesus to give the ultimate...His very life...so that we all may have the opportunity to have relationship with Him for all eternity! In a sense, the penalty of sin "passes over" us...because of what Jesus has done. That, my friend, is worth remembering. At a time when we honor those that gave the ultimate sacrifice...may we remember what Jesus said just prior to His death for you & me..."there is no greater love than this, that a man would lay down His life for another."

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be God's!

Brian O

ECHO, Lead Pastor dude