As we enjoy our turkey burgers and Lays BBQ chips this Memorial Day weekend here in the U.S., we pause to remember the sacrifices those have made on our behalf. Selflessly, they have shed their blood for our freedoms. So we take time to reflect on what they have done for us.

Remembering is important. It is also ancient. Remembrance played an important part in the lives of the Israelites who lived thousands of years ago.

The Israelites were to remember their exodus from Egypt by preparing the Passover meal each year. Parents were to teach their children what the Passover meal represented. They taught their kids God passed over them when judging sin based on their faith in Him.

Remembrance was as important to them as it is to us. Jesus taught us to remember His broken body and shed blood on the cross by remembering communion. By eating the bread and drinking the wine, we remember our Lord’s death on the cross. He was our passover lamb who bore the judgment of our sin so we wouldn’t have to.

God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21 NET)

How marvelous is He? Only He could bear the penalty of our sin so we may come into a right relationship with the Father! Remembering Jesus’ selfless sacrifice is worth our effort. So as we gather with friends and family today, let’s also remember His sacrifice, which provides eternal freedom from sin.

Scripture and/or notes quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://bible.org All rights reserved.