Christ in all the scriptures
Memorials Joshua chapter 4
Great historical events call for tangible and visible memorials. Passing on experience to rising generations is of paramount importance. The bible calls them "Ancient Landmarks" which are not to be removed. Many such memorials were raised in connection with God's dealings with Israel. Such a memorial was set up at the crossing of Jordan. We can, profitably, mark the historical memorials of the bible:
1) God's covenant with Noah and every living creature on earth, by the rainbow in the cloud, guaranteeing that there will be no more flood to destroy the earth- Genesis 9v8-17.
2) The day of the Passover in Egypt, an event never to be forgotten, and remembered each year on the same day Exodus 12v14-17.
3) The altar named Jehovah-Nissi (the Lord our banner) to commemorate victory over Amalek, with whom the Lord will have war in every generation-Exodus 17v14-16. This was written n a book to be rehearsed in the ears of Joshua and all the people.
4) The annual collection of the "atonement money", gathered each year for the maintenance of the priesthood and Levitical service-Exodus 30v11-16.
5) The Holy feast day of the memorial of the blowing of trumpets, on the first day of the seventh month each year-Leviticus 23v24/25. This was the start of the Jewish new (civil year). It was also a commemoration of their journey from Egypt to the promised land.
6) The spoils of war collected and held in the tabernacle of the congregation as a memorial for the children of Israel of their conquests-Numbers 31v54.
7) The crossing of the Jordan was marked by the erection of twelve large stones, representing the twelve tribes-Joshua 4vv1-10. These stones were set up at Gilgal for a remembrance, where the story of the miraculous crossing of Jordan would be repeated in all generations. Joshua also erected 12 stones in the midst of Jordan, which would become visible when the river was low.
So important was the establishment of the nation in their God given land that each stage was set as a memorial for all generations.
In the New Testament, there is one divinely instituted memorial, which is observed by Christian believers today.
It was instituted by the Lord, Luke 22v19-20, "And He took bread, and gave thanks , and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament (covenant) in my blood which is shed for you." Refer also Matthew 26v26-29 and Mark 14v22-25
It was practised by the early Church, Acts 2v42, "And they continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine, and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." Note the repetition of "in the" in the original, therefore referring to an official gathering for a set purpose; making it read, "in the apostle's doctrine, in the fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers". This distinguishes it from Acts 2v46 where it simply means having a meal together. Refer also Acts 20v7, the gathering at Troas,
"And upon the first (day is omitted in the original) of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them ready to depart on the morrow...".
This corresponds to the morn of the resurrection (Matthew 28v1; Mark 16v2; Luke 24v1; John 20v1 and v19. It is referred to in 1st Corinthians 16v2 as a regular weekly gathering when they came together. As well as the breaking of bread, they were to give their contributions to the work on the same occasion.
It was taught in the epistles 1st Corinthians 10v16-17, "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread and one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread".
The practice was local, but Paul expands it to global, for the same memorial is enacted worldwide. In 1st Corinthians 11v23/25, He establishes the principle that is to take place without sectarian division,
"For I 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 (covenant) in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me".
This sacred memorial, which has been practised nigh on 2000 years, is described as "The Lord's Supper (11v20). It is the most sacred occasion when Christians across the world meet on the first of every week, to commemorate the Lord's death, and resurrection on our behalf.
In Israel, what commenced as a Divine Institution, degenerated into a ritual run by humans. The sacred worship of the one true God, became occasions for idolatrous behaviour. Refer Job 13v12; Isaiah 1v10-15; 57v8. Jesus, quoting Isaiah 29, said to the hypocrite Pharisees, "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men"-Matthew 15v8/9. In like manner, a sacred Divine institution has degenerated to a man made fellowship. This is evident by sectarian practices that refuse fellowship to the Lord's people. The memorial is for all God's people, not only those who are in our particular branch of the Church. When Joshua instituted the memorial stones at the crossing of Jordan, there was one stone for each of the twelve tribes. In like manner, as we have already quoted Paul said, "There is one bread and one body, and we are all partakers of that one bread". The late Harry Lacey, author of the book, "God and the nations", posted in the Precious Seed magazine (1953, I believe) the following, "Refusal of fellowship to any of the Lord's people, whether for worship or for ministry, involves denial that they are the people of God". Current practice in many local churches denies the truth of one bread and one body. Sure there are biblical restrictions, but these are on extreme grounds of serious moral or doctrinal departure, not on sectarian distinction. The Corinthians were guilty of schisms and party spirit at the solemn gathering within the church at Corinth (1st Corinthians 11v17-29). Today our schisms are inter church and do not reflect the truth of God. Have we tarnished a sacred memorial by man made rules, leading to a Phariseeical, vain kind of worship?
There is no more sacred occasion on earth than to remember the Lord, in fellowship with all His people worldwide. We should not be using such a solemn occasion to perpetuate sectarian differences. The Apostle Peter, in his second epistle, wrote "To them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ". That is the apostle said that the faith of other believers was of equal value to the faith of the apostles, and it was precious in the sight of God. Faith is not measured by our status or achievements, but in the worth of the object of faith, that is Christ. To bring it into present practice, the faith of the Baptists is of equal value to the Presbyterians, as is the Methodist to the Brethren, as is the Charismatics to the Mission Halls, etc. etc. and all in relation to each other. There are true believers in many mainline churches whose faith is of equal value to ours. It may be difficult to change practices, but out of respect for the Lord we should change attitudes. May our solemn memorials be for His glory! This memorial, which is a proclamation of the Lord's death, should be free from human rules, and out of heart worship to Himself.
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