Sermon Snippet –What Do We Remember?
INTRODUCTION – Luke 24:1-9 is a section of Scripture often used at Easter. Its message is, of course, appropriate for any day. The words “remember” (verse 6) and “remembered” (verse 8) particularly attracted my attention.
1. THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF THIS PASSAGE IS THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS
There are multiple reasons to believe that Jesus Christ, God the Son, is the Savior and can and must be trusted for salvation. The most compelling is the fulfillment of prophecy. For many years (which is how I start quite a few sentences these days), I have carried in my primary Bible a pamphlet entitled “Prophecies of Centuries Fulfilled in a Day.” It lists twenty-five Old Testament prophecies fulfilled within twenty-four hours: sold for thirty pieces of silver, betrayed by a friend, betrayal money cast down, abandoned by disciples, accused by false witnesses, smitten and spit upon, quiet before His accusers, wounded and bruised, fallen under the Cross, hands and feet pierced, crucified with thieves, praying for His persecutors, people shaking their heads, ridiculed, observers astonished, garments parted and lots cast, vinegar given to Him, committed Himself to God, friends afar off, bones not broken, heart broken, side pierced, darkness over the land, buried in a rich man’s tomb. Most of these fulfillments of prophecy are startlingly specific. This specificity extends to His first advent, His forerunner, His nativity and early years, His mission, His ascension, and His second advent. His resurrection was prophesied in the Old Testament (Psalm 16:8-10; 30:3; 41:10; 118:17; Hosea 6:2), and as we read in Luke 24:6-7, by Jesus Himself. Along with these early disciples of Jesus, we must remember His words and His prophetic fulfillment.
2. A SECONDARY THOUGHT IS SUGGESTED BY THIS PASSAGE
As I grow older, I remember certain things with growing fondness and appreciation. I think especially of my father and my Grandmother Jepson. My best memories are simple, like walking through the woods, sometimes to get some work done, sometimes just to walk. I still feel the peace of times such as that. I doubt that they were consciously thinking of creating good memories for me; they were just being themselves. I want to do the same, if the Lord grants me time, for two little boys on the Jepson property now. Making good memories for others is meaningful; it that is our ministry, it is enough.
CONCLUSION – We must personally remember what Jesus has said and done. We need His eternal salvation, and we have every good reason to trust in Him as Savior. May we then make memories for others, memories that will help them somewhere along the way.