Our country recently observed Memorial Day, a day set aside to remember and honor those men and women who died while serving in the Armed Forces. Our country understands the importance of memorials. The USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington are two examples that quickly come to mind.

There are a number of memorials in the Bible. When the Israelites defeated the Philistines, Samuel placed a stone at the site and called it Ebenezer, meaning “God has helped us this far” (or similar wording). I Samuel 7:12. When the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, twelve men were instructed to each take a stone and place them at the site, ensuring that their children would be taught and never forget what God had done for them. Joshua 4:6.

But there is no greater memorial than that which we find in the New Testament – the Lord’s Supper. This may also be referred to as the communion. I Corinthians 10:16.

Let’s look at I Corinthians 11:23-29 and see what we can learn about how God wants us to observe this memorial. First, we are to observe the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of Christ. I Corinthians 11:23-25. We remember Christ’s death. We remember his broken body, given as a sacrifice for us. We remember the saving power of his blood. We come to have an even greater appreciation for Christ’s death and what it means to us as Christians.

Second, we observe the Lord’s Supper in recurrence. I Corinthians 11:26. Some choose to observe the Lord’s Supper at selected times (chosen by men) throughout the year. What does the Bible teach us in regard to when we are to observe the Lord’s Supper? Notice from Acts 20:7 Paul and others waited at Troas until the first day of the week so they would have the opportunity to be with other Christians there and observe the Lord’s Supper. Obviously, we are to do this on the first day of the week. The first day of which week? We learn from I Corinthians 16:1-2 that Christians came together on the first day of the week to worship, including observing the Lord’s Supper. Modern translations of the Bible, such as the New American Standard and the English Standard Version translate this passage to read “the first day of every week.” This is an accurate meaning of what Paul (through inspiration of the Holy Spirit) was conveying to Christians at Corinth. As Christians, we are to observe the Lord’s Supper every Sunday.

Third, we observe the Lord’s Supper in reverence. I Corinthians 11:27-29. The Lord’s Supper is to be eaten in a respectful manner. It is a serious mistake to ever consider the blood of Christ as unholy, or common. We eat the Lord’s Supper with appreciation for Christ’s sacrifice. We partake of the Lord’s Supper with examination of ourselves and our own spiritual condition.

I’m thankful we can observe Memorial Day in honor of those men, and women, who lost their lives in service to our country. The freedom we enjoy did not come without a price. I’m far more thankful I’m able to observe the Lord’s Supper every Sunday and give honor to my Savior, Jesus Christ, who set me free from my sin and is eternal consequences.