THE CHILDREN'S REMEMBRANCE

At the beginning of his long prophecy Isaiah sorrowed over the fact that God's people had forgotten their God days without number. Sadly, they had in fact forsaken Him. Even an ass would remember his master's crib where there would be the needed food and shelter, and also a welcome. When Balaam's sheass spoke to him with man’s voice it was to make him remember how faithful to him she had always been. These animals are honoured in Scripture. You will recall that Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem riding upon an ass and her colt. If a firstling, that foal had to be ransomed with a lamb - a token of its value to its master. Our great value to God is shown in the fact that the Lord Jesus, the Son of man, gave His life a ransom for all who believe in Him.

The Lord Jesus, at a time of very deep feeling because of His betrayal, asked His disciples to remember Him during His absence from the world by breaking the bread and drinking the cup. Then the apostle Paul, who had not known Jesus except in glory, received the expression of the same loving request to all His own until He shall come again. The first day of the week, the resurrection day, thus became the Lord's day when the Supper is taken by Christians as the Lord desired "in remembrance of me". Neither Paul nor we ourselves could recall the Lord as the early disciples could, but faith can be assured of His presence at the Supper, when taken rightly. His presence is realised through the Holy Spirit who dwells within.

A favourite Bible story with the young ones is that of Joseph. There came a time in his history when the continuance of what is called the testimony, or witness, of God in this world seemed to hang by a single thread. That thread was the poor memory of Pharaoh's cup-bearer. He had for two whole years forgotten Joseph's pleading request to him, "Only bear a remembrance with thee of me when it goes well with thee". If he had not at last remembered Joseph, the dreams of Pharaoh would not have been interpreted, nor the bumper grain crops of seven years of plenty stored up for the seven lean years. In the end many people would have starved including, it would seem, Jacob and his family. Read and learn Genesis chapter 40 verses 14 & 15. Is the Lord still waiting for you to bear a remembrance of Him?

J.C.Evershed