Mar 31, 2024

REMEMBER

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He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ” And they remembered His words. Luke 24:6-8 NKJV

This morning, during the Easter sunrise service, our pastor said the keyword for this year at Easter is the word “remember.”

Memory is a significant part of our lives. When we get older, memories in the present can be faulty, but memories of the past seem to linger. We can’t remember what we ate yesterday but can remember our favorite meal from childhood.

Memories can elicit both pleasure and pain. They can serve as a guide when what has been learned in the past is applied in the present. Some things are not understood when they are heard but they become clearer over time. That was the case for the disciples. Jesus had spoken to his disciples about his eventual death and resurrection, but it wasn’t until it happened and they were called to remember His words that it all made sense.

In the Old Testament, the children of Israel were called to “remember the sabbath.” They were to “remember when they were slaves in Egypt.” They were to remember how the Lord had provided for them.

In the Book of Revelation, the Church of Ephesus is called to “remember the height from which you have fallen…” The writer of Hebrews challenged his readers to “remember those earlier days after you had received the light when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering.”

On this Easter 2024, what do you need to remember? Do you need to remember a time in your life when you were open to God’s love? Do you need to remember a past answer to prayer? Do you need to remember a time when your spiritual commitment and fervor were stronger than they are today? Do you need to remember that God loves you and that hasn’t changed? Do you need to remember that Jesus is alive and is still bringing life to that which is dead?

There is one thing you don’t need to remember: your past sins and failures that have been forgiven. The reassuring words of Hebrews 10:17 remind us of the Lord’s promise, “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” If the Lord doesn’t remember, you don’t need to either. Today, you can live a new life and have a new beginning through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.