Text: Exodus 12:14

And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

Introduction:

Our modern Memorial Day in the USA has its roots in the Civil War.

John A. Logan, a former Federal general, called for the first formal day of remembrance on May 30, 1868. School children were asked to spread flower pedals upon the graves of the war dead.

Since that time the day has been changed to the last Monday in May and the concept has been expanded to include a remembrance of America's war dead sustained in all Her conflicts.

Let us look into God's Word and see the first Memorial Day and its importance today.

1.      THE FIRST MEMORIAL DAY WAS ESTABLISHED TO REMEMBER THE DAY THAT GOD SAVED THE ISRAELITES OUT OF EGYPT

Exodus 12:1-13

a.       One lamb per household unless the household was too small, and then they could join with another household. (v 3b-4)

b.      It was to be an unblemished male lamb, one year old, either a sheep or a goat. The lamb was slain, its blood applied to the doorposts and lintel, to save the firstborn from death, and its meat was consumed. (v5, 7)

c.       God was to pass over the land of Egypt that night and kill all the firstborn of all the people and animals as a judgment upon both Egypt and their idolatrous gods. (v11b-12)

d.      The blood was a sign of faith to God that would assure God's "passing over" the house and sparing His righteous judgment. (v13)

2.      THE FIRST MEMORIAL DAY WAS A PICTURE OF THE SACRIFICE OF JESUS ON HE CROSS FOR OUR SINS

Exodus 12:3

Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:

Isaiah 53:5, 7

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

John 1:29

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

a.       The blood that was shed by Jesus must be applied individually in order for salvation to 

take effect.

1 Peter 1:18-19

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

b.      When God sees the blood of Jesus that the individual has applied, He accounts that for righteousness and will pass over that individual on the day of judgment.

Romans 5:9

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

c.       Jesus gave His church a memorial

Matthew 26:26-28

26 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.

27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

3.      WILL THERE BE A MEMORIAL DAY FOR YOU?

Mark 14:9

9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

a.       Mary's response to Jesus was to give her very best for what He was going to do on the cross for her.

b.      Because of her actions she erected a memorial for herself that will survive as long as the Scriptures do.

c.       Those who desire to live their lives for Jesus will have a memorial to their own name in the lives of the family generations to come.

d.      What Jesus has done for us should encourage all of us to live faithfully and consistently for Him.

Revelation 12:11

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Revelation 14:4-5

4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

4.      Closing