BEN F. VICK, JR.
"Memorial Day is an American holiday that honors and mourns the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States armed forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May, which means it will be tomorrow, May 29, 2023. Memorial Day originated during the American Civil War when citizens placed flowers on the graves of those who had been killed in battle. It was formerly Decoration Day and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings, and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season" (revised from the internet).
A "memorial" recognizes meritorious service, or a structure erected to commemorate persons or events. The origin of the adjective goes back to 1374. It carried the idea of preserving the memory of a person or thing. In 1382 the noun meant "something by which the memory of a person, thing, or event is preserved."
Israel observed three main memorials. Each year all males were to celebrate these by going up to Jerusalem. This was the place where the Lord had chosen to place his name. Moses wrote: "Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the Lord empty: Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee" (Deut. 16:16-17).
In Exodus 12, we read of the institution of the Passover. It was instituted before the event it was to commemorate. The Lord said, "And this day shall be unto you for a memorial" (Ex. 12:14). Moses said, "It is a night to be much observed unto the Lord for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the Lord to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations" (Ex. 12:42). The Passover, strictly speaking, was on the 14th day of the month Abib or Nisan, the beginning of the sacred year for Israel. A lamb without blemish or spot was taken from the sheep or the goats on the 10th day. On the 14th day, it was slain between the two evenings. "…the Rabbis generally say, at any time between the decline of the sun, afternoon and sunset, the lamb was to be killed by its owner, or by one of the Levites (2 Chron. 30:17). The usual time, however, of killing the Passover was at three o'clock in the afternoon" (Milligan, Scheme of Redemption, pp.94-95). The lamb's blood was sprinkled on the doorposts and lintels with hyssop. The lamb was roasted. No bones were broken. It was to be eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. From the 15th day to the 21st day, the feast of unleavened bread was to be observed. This memorial reminded Israel of the Lord's having passed over their houses. When it was instituted in Egypt, Israel was to eat the Passover lamb standing up, their loins girded, and their sandals on their feet. They ate it at night. The barley harvest came during this early spring event.
The Feast of Weeks was called that because it was fifty days after the Passover. It always came on the first day of the week. One can read the requirements for observing this festival in Exodus 34:22, Deuteronomy 16:9, 16, and 2 Chronicles 8:13. It was also called Feast of Harvest (Ex. 23:16) because Israel presented the first fruits from the wheat harvest. One cannot find the word "Pentecost" in the Old Testament, but it means "fifty." "Days" is understood. It has been suggested that the feast was to commemorate the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. It is interesting to note that 3000 people died at Sinai for worshiping the golden calf, and about 3000 souls obeyed the gospel on the first Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ.
The third main memorial was the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths. It was also called the Feast of Ingathering because it was held after the harvest and vintage were completed. It began on the fifteenth day of the 7th month and lasted seven days. For one week out of the year, the Israelites were to live in tents or booths as a reminder of Israel's sojourning in the wilderness for forty years. See: Exodus 23:16; Leviticus 23-33-43; Deuteronomy 16:13-17; Nehemiah 8:13-17. During this time (October), the fruit harvest took place.
Though we are not under the Law of Moses and have no authority to observe these days, some typical lessons can be learned from them. The Passover reminds us of the Israel's deliverance from bondage. Christ is our Passover who has delivered us from the bondage of sin. The Feast of Weeks or Pentecost may have reminded Israel of the giving of the Law of Moses at Sinai. We today are under a better covenant with better promises. The Feast of Tabernacles reminded Israel of their sojourn through the wilderness for forty years. We also are sojourners from here to eternity (1 Peter 2:11). Life is like a bridge; we pass over it and are not to build our houses upon it.
The memorial that Christians observe each Lord's day is the Lord's supper or communion (Acts 20:7). It is a simple yet profound memorial. Like the Passover, it was instituted before the event it was to commemorate. Most monuments are started after the person has lived or the event has transpired. Matthew records:
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives (Matt 26:26-30).
A few weeks ago, we were in Washington D.C. We stood and watched the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the changing of the guard. There was complete silence as this was taking place. We also passed by the Vietnam Memorial at night. There were thousands of students in D.C. because of school breaks. It was not easy to concentrate on what these men had done with the students having a good ole time. There was a total lack of respect shown. We went back the next day when the men who sacrificed their lives could be remembered and respected. We are thankful for the price paid for our freedoms.
The greatest sacrifice which needs to be remembered on the first day of the week is the one Jesus made for us. "This do in remembrance of me," Jesus said (Luke 22:19).