Remembrance

Scripture: Luke 22:19

Introduction

What does it mean to remember? It basically means to bring to mind something from the past. Or to do something that one had undertaken to do

The believer and remembrance

The believer encounters many experiences; and with a limited mind we may not be able to have all our experiences ‘present’ in our minds. The Bible challenges us to:
Remember the death of Jesus Christ often as we partake the Lord’s table (Luke 22:19); remember the past deeds of God to help us build up our faith (Psalm 78:40-42); remember the faithfulness of God and offer Praise and Worship (Psalm 105:1-6); remember people who are suffering and are in need (Hebrews 13:3); remember to always be willing to do good things (to do good and to communicate) Hebrews 13:16. One of the main roles the Holy Spirit has in our lives is to help us in remembering the teachings of Jesus and the Bible as we withstand temptation. Another key experience the believer encounters in prayer is where the Holy Spirit drops a word in your Spirit. The way this will usually work is that your mind/heart will suddenly remember a scripture that is known to you but which at the time of prayer was not ‘present’ in your conscious mind.

The remembrance of God

The remembrance of God is tied closely to the timing of God. God has a right time for everything He does. And so when it is the right time for God to do something, then we can say He has remembered to do it. The name Zechariah means, ‘Jehovah remembers’ and is a common name in the Bible.

Four men called Zechariah and what we can learn from their lives.

1. Zechariah, 15th King of Israel

2 Kings 15:10: Jehu became king after being anointed by one of the prophets from the company of prophets led by Elisha. He zealously carried out the command of God to do away with idols. God gave him a promise that he would have his descendants rule up to the 4th generation. Jehoahaz was wicked, Jehoash was wicked; Jeroboam II was wicked, and lastly Zechariah too was likewise wicked. Although Zechariah only ruled for 6 months and was overthrown by Shallum, God remembered and kept His promise to Jehu despite the wickedness of his descendants.

2. Zechariah, son of Jehoiada the Priest

Joash was the youngest king to ever rule, at 7 years of age. Queen Athaliah, his wicked grandmother, had killed all the other children of Ahaziah, but Jehosheba, the priest Jehoiada’s wife, had hidden Joash who was still an infant. When Joash turned 7, Jehoiada set in motion a plan risking his own life, to ensure that Joash becomes king. He was successful and the land experienced religious reforms, peace and prosperity. When Jehoiada died, the leaders of the people convinced and misled Joash and they reverted to idol worship. Zechariah was son to Jehoiada and after delivering a rebuke to Joash, he ordered that he be put to death. As he died he said, ‘May the LORD see it and call you to account.’ The Bible says that Joash failed to remember the goodness of Zechariah’s father. But God did not fail to remember – 2 Chronicles 24:22. What happened next? God brought about his downfall.

3. Zechariah, son of Berekiah

In Matthew 23:35, Jesus tells of how Prophet Zechariah (who wrote the book) was killed in the temple just like the Priest Zechariah (2 above). In Revelation 6:10, we read about martyrs crying out and saying, Oh Lord how long till you avenge us? God tells them it’s not yet time. In Revelation 18; we see the final judgment of Babylon the great. In vs 5 it says, God has remembered her crimes, and in vs 20 it says, God has judged her for the way she treated the servants of God.

4. Zechariah, father of John the Baptist

When God finally remembers this family and John was born, Zechariah prophesies and in Luke 1:72 says that God has remembered His Holy Covenant and raised up a horn of salvation for His people in the house of David. Jesus Christ was the fulfilment of the remembrance of God.

Conclusion
Hebrews 6:10 reassures believers that God is not unjust and will not forget their labor of love. God will always remember His promises and acts in His perfect timing, as illustrated by testimonies of answered prayers. God has not forgotten you.