How important it is to honour our heritage and those in generations past who have served our right to freedom—many making the ultimate sacrifice of laying down their lives in battle. In particular, we in Australasia remember the soldiers who fell in the Great War (1914-1918) and The Second World War (1939-1945).
In remembering, we often humbly say, “Lest we forget.”
The phrase “Lest we forget” originated from Rudyard Kipling’s 1897 poem, Recessional, and has become a symbol of remembrance, particularly for Remembrance Day and Anzac Day, serving as a call to remember the sacrifices of those who served in wars and conflicts. In New Zealand, we wear red poppies to commemorate the flowers that grew on the graves of fallen soldiers in the foreign fields of the First World War.
Kipling’s poem was written in a time of great power and grandeur of the British Empire under the rule of Queen Victoria. It was written as a prayer and was not directed at soldiers, nor Queen; it was written to keep the pride of men pared.
Kipling’s poem serves as a cautionary reminder against the arrogance that often follows imperial strength. It warns against forgetting God, neglecting humility and repentance, and ignoring the downfall of past empires brought low by divine judgment. It challenges the pride of godless boasting and urges us to place our trust not in military might, but in God.
Kipling repeats himself often; “Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, lest we forget, lest we forget!”
Passover is the oldest and most important religious festival in Judaism, commemorating God’s deliverance of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt and His creation of the Israelite people. Passover begins at sunset on the 14th of Nisan and marks the beginning of a 7-day celebration, the highlight being the Seder meal to celebrate and rejoice in God’s deliverance.
Jesus and his disciples were celebrating Passover during the Last Supper, therefore many Christians celebrate Passover to remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
I believe those who follow Jesus should do as Jesus did. I believe we should pause, turn our attention to God, and thank Him for His divine love expressed in His divine deliverance.
Moses received his instruction from the Lord and led the people to remember and celebrate the Lord in the Feast of Passover and remains an annual Feast on the Jewish calendar.
“Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants. When you enter the land that the Lord will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony. And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped. The Israelites did just what the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron. (Exodus 12:25-28)
Today, we remember Passover as the meal Jesus shared with His disciples in the upper room on the night he was betrayed. (1 Cor 11:23-26)
We pause to remember so that we testify to God’s goodness, instructing our children in the ways of God, and anticipating future deliverance through God’s mercy.
In the words of Kipling, “Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice, an humble and a contrite heart. Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, lest we forget, lest we forget!”