Communities began days of remembrance shortly after the Civil War to commemorate their fallen soldiers. Some of the first commemorations are said to have been held by former slaves in South Carolina. However, Waterloo, New York, was named the official birthplace of Memorial Day because it hosted an annual, community-wide event where businesses closed and the graves of the fallen were decorated with flowers and flags (more here). To me, it is one of the nobler holidays as it expresses appreciation for those who sacrificed so much for our freedom and continued existence in this nation.
God knows humanity needs remembrance. The rainbow was His first memorial for man (Gen. 9:12-17). In Deuteronomy, Moses repeatedly exhorts Israel to remember the covenant and commands of the Law. Later generations were in trouble when they forgot and blessed when they remembered.
In the New Testament, there are a couple of words for “remember.” One, mnēmoneuō, “Denotes the action of keeping in mind or thinking of something or someone; it can also mean to mention something in the past or future” (Jones, Lexham Theological Wdbk, np). The other, mimnēskomai, means to recall information from memory, think of and call attention to something, and give careful consideration to (BDAG, 652).
Walk through the New Testament and see all the circumstances where God wants us to remember. This is far from exhaustive, but God urges us to:
- Remember an offended brother (Matt. 5:23)
- Remember the words of Jesus (John 15:20; Acts 20:35)
- Remember important spiritual influences in your life (Acts 20:31)
- Remember Christ in the Supper (1 Cor. 11:24-25)
- Remember the poor (Gal. 2:10)
- Remember past spiritual defeats as motivation to serve (Eph. 2:11-12)
- Remember the hurting (2 Tim. 1:4)
- Remember past spiritual victories as motivation to keep serving (Heb. 10:32)
- Remember the ill-treated for the cause of Christ (Heb. 13:3)
- Remember the faith of your spiritual leaders (Heb. 13:7)
- Remember the words of the prophets and apostles (2 Pet. 3:2; Jude 17)
- Remember from where you are fallen (Rev. 2:5)
There are literally dozens of uses of these Greek words calling for us to remember. Age and disuse may rob us of remembering all the details of everything, but some things must be retained and reviewed for our own spiritual good. Abraham once told a rich, negligent man in torment, “Son, remember…” (Luke 16:25). For him it was too late, but for us it is not.
There are some things worth remembering. In fact, some things are essential. It is admirable and healthy to remember those who died fighting for our nation. What a price! In our daily, spiritual battle, memory is key to our ultimate survival! May God sharpen our minds to remember the things He values as most important to Him (and us)!