In our country, we have just observed Memorial Day. It is fitting to remember all those who have served to make sure freedom can be enjoyed, and to remember those who have given their very lives for that freedom.

This day should never lose its meaning. Parents need to explain the importance of the day, rather seeing it as a day of going to the beach, or having friends over for a cookout, or some other form of recreation. Proper recreation isn’t bad, but this day means so much more than that.

Families who have lost their loved ones should be thanked for their sacrifice also.

Spiritually there is also a memorial day, one that comes once a week. It is the Lord’s Supper. Matthew recorded, "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’" (Matthew 26:26-29).

This memorial is to keep this great sacrifice ever before man, reminding all of God’s love for all mankind. Paul wrote, "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him" (Romans 5:6-9).

The memorial set up by Christ was kept each first day of the week by the early Christians. "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42).

"And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight" (Acts 20:7).

The Apostle Paul wrote to those in Corinth concerning this memorial because some had begun to abuse this memorial: "For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, ‘Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.’ After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, ‘This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body" (1 Corinthians 11:23-29).

Memorial Day in the United States only comes once a year, but throughout the year we should remember those who have given all. Maybe when one sees the United States flag flying, he could remember those who have given all that it can still fly proudly. That sacrifice should never be taken for granted.

The Lord’s Day comes once a week, and the sacrifice of Christ must never be taken for granted.