What if We Cannot Attend the Memorial Because of Exceptional Circumstances?

intro

What the bible says

Biblical Example

What this means for us

Conclusion

Read Numbers 9:10, 11

In ancient Israel the Passover was held on the 14th day of the first month

or Nisan 14th

We observe the Lord's Evening Meal on Nisan 14th to this day

Upcoming Tuesday, April 4th

What if we cannot attend the memorial because of exceptional circumstances?

Consider, What the Bible says, a Biblical example, and what this means for us

special provision

This gave the Israelites two dates on which the Passover was observed

Nisan 14th, and the second month, Ziv 14th (30 days later)

Notice, this was NOT an alterative date free to choose, or for convenience

limited provision for Israelites who were ceremonially unclean, or a great distance away (exceptional circumstances)

2 Chronicles 30:2-4

Just had the Observance of the Festival of Unfermented Cakes

No time to get ready for the first month

Verse 3 mentions, The priests not ready, and the people weren't gathered

all of Israel observed the Passover in the second month

This was the only recorded instance of this provision being widely used

Other than such exceptional circumstances, the Jews kept the Passover on the date that God designated

Since then, Jesus instituted the annual celebration of the Lord’s Evening Meal.

The value of attending the Lord's Evening Meal cannot be overemphasized

This is the most important event in the year

Jesus commanded us “Keep doing this in remembrance of me.”

What if we cannot attend the memorial because of exceptional circumstances? such as illness or travel Complications

Depend if we have a heavenly hope or an earthly hope, or whether if you are of the anointed or the "other sheep"

Anointed

someone who partakes each year is confined to a sickbed or a hospital

Special arrangements will be made to observe the Lord’s Evening Meal on Nisan 14th

we should plan months ahead to keep the date of the celebration free of any other appointments

Or an anointed Christian is away from his home congregation

it would only be under very exceptional circumstances that an anointed Christian would have to celebrate the Lord’s Evening Meal 30 days later

Other Sheep

Most of us, who have hope of everlasting life on a paradise earth

someone of the other sheep class is sick or is traveling

could privately read over appropriate scriptures and pray for Jehovah’s blessing on the event worldwide on Nisan 14

in this case there is no need for any additional arrangement a month later.

we look forward to the Lord's Evening Meal this year

This is the most important event in the year

Let us make sure we can attend the memorial each year

This will make Jehovah, our God, very happy