By Doug Redford
During Moses’ address to the Israelites, recorded in the book of Deuteronomy, Moses told the people to “remember the day” when they stood at the foot of Mount Horeb, another name for Sinai (Deuteronomy 4:10, New International Version). Moses recalled how the mountain “blazed with fire to the very heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness” (v. 11). Then the Lord spoke out of the fire, declaring “his covenant, the Ten Commandments” (v. 13). Moses emphasized to the people, “You heard the sound of words but saw no form; there was only a voice” (v. 12). This served as a warning to the people not to construct idols of any kind (vv. 15-18).
Here at this time of Communion, what day do we remember? We remember what transpired over a period of three days, including the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus: the events that define the heart of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). We remember the “form” of Jesus on the cross, bearing our sins in his body (1 Peter 2:24). We remember that body coming forth from the tomb triumphant over death on the third day as he promised. We also remember the coming “day of the Lord” when Jesus returns (1 Thessalonians 5:2), a promise that we should keep in mind whenever we take the Lord’s Supper, proclaiming the death of Jesus “until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26).
As each of us reflects upon our walk with the Lord, other days should come to mind. There is the day of our baptism into Christ, when we took the events of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus personally and chose to “live a new life” (Romans 6:2-4). In fact, it might serve as a great source of encouragement if each of us constructed a timeline on which to place memorable days in our Christian walk: answered prayers, unexpected blessings, and other spiritual landmarks. You may wish to share this as a testimony to others, or you may prefer to keep it to yourself as something you can often reflect upon and remember with a prayer of thanksgiving.
Whatever memories the days of our walk with the Lord have provided, we should always remember that they have come only because of the three days we remember especially during Communion. Without those days, we have nothing to remember or anticipate—on this Lord’s Day or any day.
Doug Redford has served in the preaching ministry, as an editor of adult Sunday school curriculum, and as a Bible college professor. Now retired, he continues to write and speak as opportunities arise.
Author: Doug Redford
Doug Redford has served in the preaching ministry, as an editor of adult Sunday school curriculum, and as a Bible college professor. Now retired, he continues to write and speak as opportunities arise.
