Today, June 6, 2019 marks the 75th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion. According to Historyonthenet.com: " The Normandy Invasion consisted of 5,333 Allied ships and landing craft embarking nearly 175,000 men. The British and Canadians put 75,215 troops ashore, and the Americans 57,500, for a total of 132,715, of whom about 3,400 were killed or missing, in contrast to some estimates of ten thousand. " (Link here: https://www.historyonthenet.com/d-day-statistics ) It remains a significant point in history. Many gave their lives to keep the world free from Tyranny in what is known as the largest naval invasion in history. We have an entire generation to thank for their sacrifice and service, even if we take it for granted. On this day, thousands of men whom we never knew (though some may have a relative) died to keep the world free. Remembering is important. In the Old Testament (Depending on translation) The word "remember" occurs roughly 140 times, and about 40 times in the new. Over and Over again, we hear God telling Israel, and Jesus and the Apostles reminding the church "Remember, lest you turn to that which destroyed the people around you" or "remember, lest you go astray and lose your way." We look at the Old Testament, and time and time again the people forgot, time and time God tried to restore, and time and time again, the people forgot who their God is. Each week in many churches (less in others), many go around the Lord's Table. We take the emblems, the bread representing the Body, and the wine (or grape juice) which signifies the blood of Christ, to remember why we are even saved at all. We are not saved by any act we have done or could do. Our crimes against God are too numerous for us to pay the debt we owe. Jesus lived among us, though perfect in every way, never straying from God's standards, becoming the all atoning Sacrifice which would fulfill the terms of the Abrahamic covenant. Romans 6:23 reminds us " 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. " We are guilty, for sins punishable by Death, but Jesus loved us enough to take our place. As you go about your day, today and every day after, remember that each moment of your freedom is because of someone else's sacrifice, specifically because of Christ and the Cross that we remain free from Sin and Death forever. Live as though you've been set free.
Matthew 26:17-30 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Passover with the Disciples
17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?”18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.
20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve.[a] 21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”
Institution of the Lord's Supper
26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the[b] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”
30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Footnotes:
a. Matthew 26:20 Some manuscripts add disciples
b. Matthew 26:28 Some manuscripts insert new
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