Remembrance Sunday
Introduction
Remembrance Sunday is set aside to remember those who gave their lives for the peace and freedom that we enjoy today. The question we may ask, however, is why one day. Why not every day? We could say the same about remembering Christ who gave his life so that we might enjoy true peace and freedom. A day should hardly go by without us thinking about this. So let us…
Remember
Remember you were slaves
Deuteronomy 5:15 says, “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.” Deuteronomy is a second giving of the Law. It was written to remind God’s people about their responsibilities. The former slave trader, John Newton had this verse on his desk to remind him of his past. John Newton was the one who wrote, “Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.”
Recalling the work of Jesus Christ
To Remember means to bring something to mind. It means to recall or recollect. 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 says, “On the night he was betrayed, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ He then took the cup and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this… in remembrance of me.’” In the same way that we remember those who died for us at war, we do this to remember Christ and what he did for us.
Remember and do not forget
Ephesians 2:11-13 says, “Remember that you who are Gentiles by birth and called ‘uncircumcised’ by the Jews… Remember that you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel, and foreigners to God’s promise. You were without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Remember what you were, what you are now in Christ, and what you will be in Christ. This leads to a further point. On Remembrance Sunday, we remember, and we…
Reflect
Reflect on what God says
Remembering something has no real significance unless we take it further. To do this, we need to reflect on what we remember. 2 Timothy 2:7 says, “Reflect on what I am saying for the Lord will give you insight.”
Reflecting on the life and death of Christ
To reflect means to consider, to ponder, to perceive, to think about something, and allow it to sink in. So let the impact of the life and death of Christ sink in, and allow it to change your life. A well-known hymn says, “When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died; my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride.” This hymn goes on to say, “See, from his head, his hands, his feet sorrow and love flow mingled down; Did e’er such love and sorrow meet or thorns compose so rich a crown. Were the whole realm of nature mine that were an offering far too small; love so amazing, so divine demands my soul, my life, my all.” Now that’s reflection!
Serious reflection leads to serious implications
Significant reflection leads to significant implication. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “And we all… reflecting the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory. This comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” When we reflect on the person and work of Christ, it changes our life for good, and forever. This leads to a further point. Today, we remember… today we reflect… today we…
Respond
Responding positively
Remembering has no real significance unless we reflect on what we remember. This should then go further as we respond to what we remember and reflect upon. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 says, “Christ’s love compels us because we are convinced that one died for all. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”
The love of Christ compels us
The love of Christ compels us. The verb means to press us in on every side. The love of Christ grabs hold of us, and moves us along in response to God’s call. In the same way that the brave actions of soldiers shapes who we are today, so the person and work of Christ shapes our lives forever. Romans 5:18 says that just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all.”
Living for Christ
If all we did today was remember those who died, it would mean little. We need to reflect and respond. 2 Corinthians 5:15 goes on to say that Christ died for all, so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. This is our response to remembering the person of Christ and reflecting on his work…
Here is love vast as the ocean, loving kindness as the flood
When the Prince of Life, our ransom shed for us his precious blood.
Who his love will not remember? Who can cease to sing his praise?
He can never be forgotten throughout heaven’s eternal days.
Bernard Cartledge