Remember

Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Deuteronomy 5:15a

And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." Luke 22:19

At least 5 times in the book of Deuteronomy God commands the children of Israel to remember that they were slaves in Egypt. To commemorate that great day they were to celebrate the Passover. They were also to keep the Sabbath, and be kind to those among them who were less fortunate. They were to treat the alien with compassion. God never wanted them to forget how it felt to be in bondage. He didn’t want them to forget that their deliverance came through His mighty hand and outstretched arm. He wanted them to be filled with compassion remembering what it was like to be enslaved and mistreated. He knew there was a danger that as time passed the memory would fade in succeeding generations.

Fast forward into the New Testament and we read about this encounter that Jesus had with the Pharisees, “They answered Him, "We are Abraham's offspring, and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, 'You shall become free'?" John 8:33 NIV What?! Have they forgotten their great deliverance from Egypt? In their religious pride they neglect to reflect that they have been under Persian and Syrian domination and currently the Romans are ruling over them.

Jesus, as the ensuing verses would strongly clarify, was talking about setting them free from slavery to their sin nature. He came not only to free us from sin’s penalty but also its power. Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:34-36

He would deliver them from their bondage in the same way they were delivered from Egypt.

· His mighty arm would be outstretched and nailed to a tree.
· He would deliver them at the same time which was Passover.
· With the same substance though greatly more precious; the blood of the Lamb of God.

And the night, before He accomplished that for us, He asks us to remember Him in the breaking of the bread and the drinking of the wine. As in the Passover we are to commemorate and remember our mighty deliverance and what it cost.

Never forget, and never take for granted his incredible mercy and deliverance. Remember that you are free. Sin will no longer have dominion over you or me. It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

MY PRAYER: Lord, thank you for delivering me out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of your dear Son. Col.1:13 Help me to remember what it was like to be lost and undone and without you and without hope. Eph. 2:12 Thank you for delivering me with your mighty hand and outstretched arm

MY CONFESSION: Though I was once a slave to sin, I have become obedient from my heart, and having been freed from sin, I am a servant of righteousness. I stand on your word! Romans 6:17-18