The Solemn Atmosphere and Purpose of Memorials

Vietnam War Memorial

During a visit to Washington, D.C., the summer between my freshman and sophomore years of high school, I was given the opportunity to visit the Vietnam War Memorial, the Iwo Jima Monument and the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.

These memorials stand in honor of those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of Americans, and the freedom of people around the world. When we, as Americans, visit these monuments, we respectfully remember and consider the sacrifice of those who lost their lives fighting for our freedom. Veterans who survived those wars, men and women of whom I have the utmost respect, are overcome with emotion and reverence toward their brothers in arms who died saving freedom.

Tomb of the Unknowns
Arlington National Cemetery

I remember being in awe. I remember the feeling of reverence toward those fallen soldiers, and the ones who survived who staffed the memorials, and others who were visiting. My visit to Washington, D.C. actually motivated me to explore the option of a career in the U.S. Armed Forces. I later decided not to follow through.

That is what memorials are for. To honor the fallen, to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, and to remind us that freedom is not free. These memorials are all about the men who served and sacrificed, and are not about the visitors to the memorials.

When Jesus instituted the Lord's supper, He said, "This do in remembrance of Me."

Just like the war memorials in Washington, D.C., serve to remind us of the sacrifice that our soldiers made during wartime so we could be free, so the Lord's supper is a memorial of how Christ died for us, sacrificing Himself, so that we could be free from sin and be given salvation freely. Our freedom is not free.

Iwo Jima Monument

Now, if I began to sing and dance at one of these memorials, people would be offended and the veterans who staff and monitor these sites would probably escort me out, and rightfully so. Why? Because I would be desecrating the memorial, not discerning the sacrifice that was made for my freedom. If I were to talk on and on about how much I loved visiting the memorial because it made me feel so special, no doubt folks would be offended because I would be glorying in myself, not the sacrifice made on my behalf by these soldiers.

Paul wrote in I Corinthians 11:29 "For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body."

Most interpret these verses to mean that you shouldn't take the Lord's supper if you have unresolved sin in your life, and rightfully so. However, the major sin is taking the Lord's supper, "not discerning the Lord's body." When you take the Lord's supper, you should take it as a memorial to Christ, not as a show of fellowship, not to show love for the brethren, not to feel closer to God and not to feel more spiritual. It is ALL about memorializing the sacrifice Christ made for us, and being reverent toward that.

Those men who gave their lives in combat to save our freedom didn't accidentally go into perilous situations. They willingly went, knowing they would probably die, but also knowing that is what it would take to win the war and keep America free. That thought takes my breath away. It doesn't make me feel special. It makes me feel inferior because I am not sure I could have made the same decision.

Christ didn't accidentally wind up on the cross. He is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). It was His idea. He knew it would take His death on the cross to save us, and He willingly died that death so we could be with Him in eternity. The Lord's supper doesn't make me feel more spiritual, it reminds me that it was my sin that put Christ on the cross.

When I break that bread (at Grace Pointe, we literally break unleavened bread) before we pass it to the congregation, I feel the effect of my sin being taken out on that body. When I take that cup, I see the cup of His suffering. Therefore, I don't feel the need to take the Lord's supper every week, or even every month. It is a memorial. I take it, but I take it remembering what it means.

Don't take the Lord's supper for the wrong reasons. Don't take it to show fellowship, or to "feel closer to God." Take it as a memorial to the sacrifice that Christ made on your behalf. If you do that, you will take the Lord's supper discerning His body, and God is pleased with that.