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What if We Cannot Attend the Memorial Because of Exceptional…
What if We Cannot Attend the Memorial Because of Exceptional Circumstances?
intro
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
What the bible says
Read Numbers 9:10, 11
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)
Biblical Example
2 Chronicles 30:1-5
Just had the Observance of the Festival of Unfermented Cakes
Verse 3 mentions, No time to get ready for the first month
The priests not ready, and the people weren't gathered
Verse 5, all of Israel observed the Passover in the second month, Ziv 14th
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.
What this means for us
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
Local elders will bring some of the bread and wine, discuss appropriate Bible texts on the subject, and serve the emblems
Or an anointed Christian is away from his home congregation
they would arrange to go to a congregation in the area where they will be on that date
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
in this case there is no need for any additional arrangement a month later.
Conclusion
we should plan months ahead to keep the date of the celebration free of any other appointments
we look forward to the Lord's Evening Meal this year
This is
the most important
event in the year
If we do have exceptional circumstances
The anointed class would observe 30 days later
The other sheep class can observe in private on the date of Nisan 14
Let us make sure we can attend the memorial each year
This will make Jehovah, our God, very happy