紀念石
約書亞記四章1至9節
1國民盡都過了約但河，耶和華就對約書亞說：
2你從民中要揀選十二個人，每支派一人，
3吩咐他們說：你們從這裡，從約但河中、祭司腳站定的地方，取十二塊石頭帶過去，放在你們今夜要住宿的地方。
4於是，約書亞將他從以色列人中所預備的那十二個人，每支派一人，都召了來。
5對他們說：你們下約但河中，過到耶和華─你們神的約櫃前頭，按著以色列人十二支派的數目，每人取一塊石頭扛在肩上。
6這些石頭在你們中間可以作為證據。日後，你們的子孫問你們說：這些石頭是甚麼意思？
7你們就對他們說：這是因為約但河的水在耶和華的約櫃前斷絕；約櫃過約但河的時候，約但河的水就斷絕了。這些石頭要作以色列人永遠的紀念。
8以色列人就照約書亞所吩咐的，按著以色列人支派的數目，從約但河中取了十二塊石頭，都遵耶和華所吩咐約書亞的行了。他們把石頭帶過去，到他們所住宿的地方，就放在那裡。
9約書亞另把十二塊石頭立在約但河中，在抬約櫃的祭司腳站立的地方；直到今日，那石頭還在那裡。
信息分享
當以色列民全都過了河後，神吩咐每一支派選出一個代表，到河中拾回一塊大石頭。這些石頭由於不斷受到河水的沖擊，一定是相當的平滑，他們拿回來後，便把它們運到他們的營區，然後便一塊疊著一塊地將它們豎立起來。這些石頭將永遠豎立在那裡，讓百姓每次看見，都記起神是如何施行神蹟，帶領他們渡過約旦河。
或許，很久之後，有些年幼的以色列人，已逐漸淡忘昔日過河的經過。然而，每當他們一看見這些石頭，就喚醒他們的記憶，讓他們時時刻刻記念神的作為。
到以色列人生育了下一代，小孩子看見這些石頭，一定會感到好奇；這時，成年人便可將昔日過河的神蹟，詳細地告訴他們了。
那麼，我們作為基督徒的，又有甚麼東西，可以經常提醒我們念及神的恩典和作為呢？
聖餐是其中一個提醒信徒紀念主的機會。當你守聖餐的時候，曾否試過有小孩子前來問你，為甚麼要吃那個餅和喝那杯葡萄汁呢？你是否怕他們騷擾，就打發他們出外玩耍呢？
即使在守聖餐的時候，不方便向小孩子講解守聖餐的意義，我們也應該在聚會完畢，找機會向他們解釋，守聖餐是為了記念主對我們的救贖。昔日，十二支派的代表為何要從河中撿走石頭？是因為神要他們這樣做。同樣地，今天的信徒之所以守聖餐，是因為主耶穌曾經吩咐說：「你們要如此行，為的是記念我。」這是主給予信徒的特權，讓我們可以一同分享記念祂的喜悅。
那些記念的石頭，可能已經在歷史中湮沒。對信徒來說，終有一天也可能不用再守聖餐。因為在那天，我們將可以面對面地見主，永遠與祂在一起，無須再用其他東西來提醒我們記念主了。
反思：
我們藉著守聖餐，記念主為我們受死；我們要一直守這餐，直至主再來的日子。
REMEMBRANCE STONES
Joshua 4: 1-9
1 And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying:
2 “Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe,
3 and command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.’”
4 Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe;
5 and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel,
6 that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’
7 Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.”
8 And the children of Israel did so, just as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones from the midst of the Jordan, as the LORD had spoken to Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them to the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.
9 Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood; and they are there to this day.
Message
It must have been interesting to watch as twelve men, one from each tribe, went down again into the riverbed. Each one picked up one big stone and carried it up the bank. The stones would be partly round as all stones are in a riverbed. Then they piled them on top of one another. There they remained for many years as a reminder of what God had done for his people at the river Jordan.
If any one of the Children of Israel ever forgot what had happened, they had only to look at those stones that had come out of the riverbed. They would be instantly reminded of the miracle God had done for them.
Years afterwards, if any one, say a child, asked what the stones were for, it would be easy to tell them exactly why they had been put there.
What memorials do we have of what Christ has done for us?
The Lord's supper or communion is one. Have you ever taken time to tell your children why you have this love feast of remembrance? Or do you just send them outside to play, telling them to be good while you stay inside?
Why not take time to tell your children exactly what the bread and the grape juice stand for and what they remind you of? Why did the men bring the stones out of Jordan? Because God said to. Why do we have communion? Because Jesus Christ said, 'This do in remembrance of me.' It is our privilege and joy to remember him in this way.
Those round stones have long since gone. One day we will not need the communion table to remind us of what Christ has done. We will see him and be with him. We will not need a reminder then. We will be with him for all eternity.
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
In our communion services we are reminding ourselves and others of the Lord's death until he comes.