Remembrance

In the biblical context, remembrance is a significant theme that underscores the importance of recalling God's past deeds, His commandments, and His covenant with His people. The act of remembrance serves as a spiritual discipline that reinforces faith, obedience, and gratitude among believers.

The Old Testament frequently emphasizes the importance of remembrance. In Deuteronomy 6:12 , Moses warns the Israelites, "be careful not to forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery." This call to remember is not merely an intellectual exercise but a call to live in a way that reflects God's past deliverance and ongoing faithfulness.

The Passover is a prime example of remembrance in practice. In Exodus 12:14 , God commands, "This day is to be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD; as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come." The Passover serves as a perpetual reminder of God's deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage.

In the New Testament, Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper as an act of remembrance. In 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 , Paul recounts Jesus' words: "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me... This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." Here, remembrance is central to Christian worship, focusing on Christ's sacrificial death and the new covenant established through His blood.

Worship

Worship in the Bible is the reverent devotion and allegiance accorded to God. It encompasses both individual and corporate expressions of adoration, praise, and service. Worship is a response to God's holiness, majesty, and love, and it is a central aspect of the believer's life.

The Old Testament lays the foundation for worship through the sacrificial system and the Tabernacle, later the Temple, as the focal points of Israel's worship. In Leviticus 10:3 , God declares, "Among those who approach Me, I will show Myself holy; in the sight of all the people, I will be honored." Worship is thus an acknowledgment of God's holiness and a means of drawing near to Him.

The Psalms are rich with expressions of worship, highlighting both personal and communal aspects. Psalm 95:6 invites, "Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker." This call to worship emphasizes humility and reverence before God.

In the New Testament, worship is transformed through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus teaches that true worship is not confined to specific locations or rituals but is a matter of spirit and truth. In John 4:23-24 , He states, "But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and truth."

The early church exemplified worship through prayer, teaching, fellowship, and the breaking of bread, as seen in Acts 2:42 : "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Worship in the New Testament church is characterized by a focus on Christ, the proclamation of the Gospel, and the edification of the body of believers.

In summary, remembrance and worship are intertwined in the biblical narrative, each reinforcing the other. Remembrance fuels worship by recalling God's mighty acts and promises, while worship provides the context in which believers remember and celebrate God's faithfulness and grace.