Jump Start # 1859

1 Corinthians 11:24 “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.’”

NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO JUMP START ON MONDAY DUE TO THE HOLIDAY.

We are at Memorial Day weekend, the official kickoff of the summer. It’s the time for picnics, cookouts, graduation open houses and a few days off from work. Indianapolis has a famous car race, and Louisville has a massive Beatle festival this weekend. The holiday is to remember those who gave their lives in war for our freedom. Our freedom to enjoy weekends, like this one. Our freedom to worship God the way the Bible tells us to. Our freedom to write and speak about the things we believe. It has been said that the politicians make war but the young people are the ones who fight and die in those wars. Major wars, especially the Civil War and World War II had impacts upon congregations as young men, many were young fathers, went to fight. Their absence emptied a generation of men their age from churches. Some congregations lost nearly all of their deacons as they were gone fighting. And after the war, many never made it back home alive. This left many young widows to struggle with being a single parent. War is ugly.

Our verse today reminds us of the greatest sacrifice ever given in the greatest war of all time, the blood of Jesus for our salvation. His death and His resurrection crush Satan, our greatest foe and enemy. We are free because of Jesus. In this Corinthian passage, Paul quotes the words of Jesus that were spoken to the apostles at the last supper. The Lord’s Supper is the grandest memorial of all. Heaven is saying, “Do not forget this!” The actual words are, “Do this in remembrance of Me.”

What should we remember?

1. We ought to remember why Jesus died. He died to save us. He gave His life so ours would not have to be lost forever. What He did was an act of love. He was innocent and we were guilty. He was pure and we were impure. He had no reason to die and we had every reason to die. Without His death, we would all be doomed. Heaven would not be possible without Jesus. He died for you.

2. We ought to remember how Jesus died. It wasn’t lying in a hospital bed, surrounded with loved ones, holding His hand. He was tortured. It was brutal, painful, long and lonely. People were shouting at Him. His disciples stood off in a distance afraid. His Father turned His back. He died alone. He hurt. It wasn’t quick and humane. It was slow and painful.

3. We ought to remember the manner in which Jesus died. Peter tells us that He uttered no threats. He was reviled but did not revile in return. He prayed. He asked for the forgiveness of His executioners. He made arrangements for His mother’s care. Jesus remained sinless, innocent and true to the very end.

4. We ought to remember that Jesus died by choice. He gave His life. It wasn’t taken from Him. The government of Rome wasn’t in control, Jesus was. He could have stopped it. He could have called for the angels. He went to the cross willingly. He gave His life. It was a willing sacrifice. He wasn’t forced. His death was our gift.

5. We ought to remember what happened because Jesus died. Forgiveness came to those that believe. Hope for the first time filled the earth. The separation between us and God was gone. Believers became reconciled. We were acquitted or justified. We were redeemed. We were saved. We became part of God’s family. The saving message of Jesus has been preached in every land. Thousands and thousands through the generations have believed in Christ and changed their lives. Death no longer is dreaded because of the sacrifice of Jesus. Death is not the end because of Jesus. Christ not only changed our future, and forgave our past, but He impacted our present lives. Because of His death, we walk with Jesus. We model our selves after Jesus. We forgive, because we have been forgiven. We open our hands and our hearts because He was first compassionate to us. We serve. We worship. We changed. All because of a death outside of Jerusalem a long time ago. We are a better people because of Jesus. Our marriages are richer and better. Our families are closer and stronger. Our thoughts are purer. We have put on the heart of a servant because of Jesus. The world is brighter and better today because of Christians and Christians are the way they are because of Jesus.

The greatest memorial day takes place every Sunday when saints bow and remember the death of Jesus. His death changed the world. We are better because of that.

Roger