Memorial of Jesus' Death

Last updated

Memorial of Jesus' Death
Lord's Evening Meal (Jehovah's Witnesses) Emblems.jpg
The "emblems" of the Lord's Evening Meal, namely unleavened bread and unfortified red wine, are passed among congregants at the Memorial.
Observed by Jehovah's Witnesses
SignificanceCelebration of Jesus' sacrifice and memorialization of his death
Observances Worship services, communion
Date Nisan 14
2025 dateApril 12, 2025 [1]
2026 dateApril 2, 2026
FrequencyAnnual

The Memorial of Jesus' Death, also known as the Lord's Evening Meal, is an annual commemoration of the death of Jesus by Jehovah's Witnesses. Witnesses consider it the only religious event that Christians are commanded to observe by the Bible, as well as the most important day of the year. During the Memorial, unleavened bread and unfortified red wine (symbolizing Jesus' body and blood respectively) are passed among congregants, although only those who identify themselves as being part of the 144,000 "anointed" Witnesses set to inherit Christ's heavenly kingdom may partake of the bread and wine.

Contents

History

The first celebration of the Lord's Evening Meal by members of the Pittsburgh-based Bible Student movement took place in 1876. Attendance grew steadily over the years, with at least 90,434 Bible Students observing the Memorial in 1925. However, following Joseph Franklin Rutherford's failed prediction that the ancient patriarchs and prophets would be physically resurrected in the same year, Memorial attendance rapidly declined. The Memorial in 1928 had only 17,380 attendees, which prompted The Watchtower to temporarily cease reporting such yearly figures. [2]

In 1935, as more non-committal individuals began to attend the Watch Tower Society's meetings, a distinction was made for the first time between those who believed that they were destined to rule in heaven with Jesus ("the anointed") and those who had an "earthly calling" to "live in an everlasting paradise on earth" ("the great crowd"). [3] Until 1938, members of the "great crowd" were not permitted to join the Memorial. [4]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person Memorial services were suspended. In 2020, more than seventeen million people attended the Memorial virtually. [5] On May 31, 2022, the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses announced the resumption of in-person events, including the Memorial of Jesus' Death. [6]

Celebration

The Lord's Evening Meal is, without question, the year's greatest celebration for all true Christians. There is no other occasion like it in regard to importance, purpose or procedure.

—  The Watchtower (February 15, 1981) [7]

Although Jehovah's Witnesses typically eschew celebrating holidays, they regard the Memorial of Jesus' Death as the most important day of the year, [8] as well as the one event that all Christians are commanded to commemorate in the Bible (1 Corinthians 11:24). [lower-alpha 1] It is observed annually on the date on the Gregorian calendar that corresponds with the fourteenth day of the month Nisan (the eve of Passover) in the Hebrew lunisolar calendar, [10] based on the calculations of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses.

For the weeks leading up to the Memorial, Witnesses hear sermons about the subject and are assigned Bible readings from the chapters leading up to Jesus' death. Witnesses are especially encouraged to invite friends, family, and other members of the public to the Memorial. As a result, attendance at the Memorial is often much greater than that of other events organized by Jehovah's Witnesses. [11]

During the Memorial, which is always held after sunset and lasts approximately one hour, two congregational hymns (known as Kingdom songs) are sung, one at the beginning and one at the end. [12] A prayer is offered by an elder, and a talk is given on the fall of Adam and Eve, the importance of Jesus' death, and the distinction between the 144,000 "anointed" Witnesses and the "great crowd". [12]

At the end of the service, Witnesses observe the Lord's Evening Meal—a commemoration of the final meal that Jesus shared with his disciples in Jerusalem. [13] The "emblems" of unleavened bread and unfortified red wine, [4] representing Jesus' body and blood respectively, are passed among congregants. [14] Jehovah's Witnesses do not permit substituting the wine with grape juice. [12] The emblems are strictly regarded as symbols of Jesus' sacrifice and Jehovah's Witnesses reject concepts such as transubstantiation or consubstantiation. [15]

The vast majority of Witnesses do not partake of the bread and wine, as they believe that only the 144,000 anointed individuals who will inherit the "spiritual Israel" in heaven are eligible to do so. For instance, the Memorial of Jesus' Death in 1993 was attended by some 11.4 million people, but there were only 8,693 partakers of the bread and wine. [16] Given that there is no formal initiation process for the anointed (who are identified according to their "inner convictions"), the Watch Tower Society has admitted that partakers of the bread and wine may not necessarily be genuine anointed Witnesses. [17]

Location

The Memorial is usually held at Kingdom Halls (Jehovah's Witnesses' places of worship). [5] In areas where a larger attendance is expected, event venues may be rented. In any case, Jehovah's Witnesses avoid locations that they deem to be extravagant, given that the final meal that Jesus himself shared with his disciples took place in a simple dining room. [9] While there is no official dress code, attendees are typically expected to dress "modestly and respectfully". [1]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Jehovah's Witnesses prefer to use the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (NWT), which renders Jesus' command as "... Keep doing this in remembrance of me", thus emphasizing that the Memorial is "to be celebrated in perpetuity". [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eucharist</span> Christian rite and sacrament

The Eucharist, also called Holy Communion, the Blessed Sacrament or the Lord's Supper, is a Christian rite, considered a sacrament in most churches and an ordinance in others. Christians believe it to have been instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper, the night before his Crucifixion, giving his Disciples bread and wine; passages in the New Testament state that he commanded them to "do this in memory of me" while referring to the bread as his "body" and the wine as "the blood of [his] covenant, which is poured out for many". According to the synoptic Gospels, the Last Supper was a Passover meal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jehovah's Witnesses</span> Restorationist Christian denomination

Jehovah's Witnesses is a nontrinitarian, millenarian, restorationist Christian denomination. In 2023, the group reported approximately 8.6 million members involved in evangelism, with around 20.5 million attending the annual Memorial of Christ's death. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the destruction of the present world system at Armageddon is imminent, and the establishment of God's kingdom over earth is the only solution to all of humanity's problems.

Jehonadab was the son of Rechab. He is mentioned in 2 Kings 10:15-31. A Kenite, he was a supporter of Jehu, son of Nimshi, in the elimination of the house of Ahab and in suppressing worship of Baal throughout Samaria. Jehu seeks his support at a meeting in the desert and assures Jehonadab of his "zeal for the Lord".

Jehovah's Witnesses' practices are based on the biblical interpretations of Charles Taze Russell (1852–1916), founder of the Bible Student movement, and of successive presidents of the Watch Tower Society, Joseph Franklin Rutherford and Nathan Homer Knorr. Since 1976, practices have also been based on decisions made at closed meetings of the group's Governing Body. The group disseminates instructions regarding activities and acceptable behavior through The Watchtower magazine and through other official publications, and at conventions and congregation meetings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Franklin Rutherford</span> Second president of the incorporated Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (1869–1942)

Joseph Franklin Rutherford, also known as Judge Rutherford, was an American religious leader and the second president of the incorporated Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. He played a primary role in the organization and doctrinal development of Jehovah's Witnesses, which emerged from the Bible Student movement established by Charles Taze Russell.

<i>Awake!</i> Illustrated religious magazine

Awake! is an illustrated religious magazine published by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. It is considered to be a companion magazine of The Watchtower, and is distributed by Jehovah's Witnesses. The Watch Tower Society reports a worldwide circulation of about 12.8 million copies per issue in 252 languages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Memorialism</span> Theological position of certain Christian denominations

Memorialism is the belief held by some Christian denominations that the elements of bread and wine in the Eucharist are purely symbolic representations of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, the feast being established only or primarily as a commemorative ceremony. The term comes from the Gospel of Luke 22:19: "Do this in remembrance of me", and the attendant interpretation that the Lord's Supper's chief purpose is to help the participant prayerfully remember Jesus and his sacrifice on the Cross, and symbolically renew commitment.

Christian observance of Passover is in modern times referred to as Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday and is held the day before Good Friday. Sometimes a shortened Sedar meal is practiced. Many churches do a washing of the feet of the congregation on this day in recognition of Jesus washing the apostles feet at the last supper. [oremus Bible Browser : John 13:5–14] It marks the end of the Lenten season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eucharistic theology</span> Branch of Christian theology

Eucharistic theology is a branch of Christian theology which treats doctrines concerning the Holy Eucharist, also commonly known as the Lord's Supper and Holy Communion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frederick William Franz</span> American Jehovahs Witness (1893–1992)

Frederick William Franz was appointed president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, a legal entity used to administer the work of Jehovah's Witnesses. He had previously served as vice-president of the same corporation from 1945 until 1977 when he replaced Nathan H. Knorr as president. His position as president was administrative, as the Governing Body assumed over-all control of all Jehovah's Witness corporations in 1976. He remained president until his death in 1992.

The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses is the ruling council of Jehovah's Witnesses, based in the denomination's Warwick, New York, headquarters. The body formulates doctrines, oversees the production of written material for publications and conventions, and administers the denomination's worldwide operations. Official publications refer to members of the Governing Body as followers of Christ rather than religious leaders.

Jehovah's Witnesses originated as a branch of the Bible Student movement, which developed in the United States in the 1870s among followers of Christian restorationist minister Charles Taze Russell. Bible Student missionaries were sent to England in 1881 and the first overseas branch was opened in London in 1900. The group took on the name International Bible Students Association and by 1914 it was also active in Canada, Germany, Australia, and other countries.

"Faithful and discreet slave" is the term used by Jehovah's Witnesses to describe the group's Governing Body in its role of directing doctrines and teachings. The group is described as a "class" of "anointed" Christians that operates under the direct control of Jesus Christ to exercise teaching authority in all matters pertaining to doctrine and articles of faith.

The doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses have developed since the publication of The Watchtower magazine began in 1879. Early doctrines were based on interpretations of the Bible by Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society founder Charles Taze Russell, then added to, altered, or discarded by his successors, Joseph Rutherford and Nathan Knorr. Since 1976, doctrinal changes have been made at closed meetings of the group's Governing Body, whose decisions are described as "God's progressive revelations". These teachings are disseminated through The Watchtower, and at conventions and congregation meetings. Most members of the denomination outside the Governing Body play no role in the development of doctrines and are expected to adhere to all those decided at the Warwick, NY headquarters. Jehovah's Witnesses are taught to welcome doctrinal changes, regarding such "adjustments" as "new light" or "new understanding" from God and proving that they are on the "path of the righteous".

Jehovah's Witnesses believe salvation is a gift from God attained by being part of "God's organization" and putting faith in Jesus' ransom sacrifice. They do not believe in predestination or eternal security. They believe in different forms of resurrection for two groups of Christians: that the 144,000 members of the anointed will be rulers in heaven and that "the other sheep" or "the great crowd" will live forever on a paradise earth.

As of 2023, Jehovah's Witnesses reported a monthly average membership of approximately 8.6 million actively involved in preaching, with a peak of around 8.8 million. Jehovah's Witnesses have an active presence in most countries, though they do not form a large part of the population of any country.

144,000 is a natural number. It has significance in Christianity and Islam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Origin of the Eucharist</span>

Some Christian denominations place the origin of the Eucharist in the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples, at which he is believed to have taken bread and given it to his disciples, telling them to eat of it, because it was his body, and to have taken a cup and given it to his disciples, telling them to drink of it because it was the cup of the covenant in his blood.

The beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses are based on the Bible teachings of Charles Taze Russell—founder of the Bible Student movement—and successive presidents of the Watch Tower Society, Joseph Franklin Rutherford, and Nathan Homer Knorr. Since 1976, all doctrinal decisions have been made by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, a group of elders at the denomination's headquarters. These teachings are disseminated through The Watchtower magazine and other publications of Jehovah's Witnesses, and at conventions and congregation meetings.

This is a bibliography of works on the Jehovah's Witnesses.

References

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 "Memorial of Jesus' Death". JW.org. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  2. ↑ Penton 2004, pp. 106–107.
  3. ↑ Chryssides 2022, p. 22.
  4. 1 2 Chryssides 2008, p. 91.
  5. 1 2 Chu 2023, p. 185.
  6. ↑ Chu 2023, p. 191.
  7. ↑ Gruss 2003, p. 147.
  8. ↑ Weddle 2000, p. 356.
  9. 1 2 Chryssides 2022, p. 101.
  10. ↑ Chryssides 2016, p. 433.
  11. ↑ Crompton 1996, p. 5.
  12. 1 2 3 Chryssides 2022, p. 102.
  13. ↑ Chryssides 2022, p. 18.
  14. ↑ Chryssides 2008, p. 48.
  15. ↑ Chryssides 2008, p. 49.
  16. ↑ Weddle 2000, p. 358.
  17. ↑ Knox 2018, p. 35.

Bibliography

  • Chryssides, George D. (2008). Historical Dictionary of Jehovah's Witnesses. Scarecrow Press. ISBN   9780810860742.
  • ——— (2016). "Jehovah's Witnesses: Anticipating Armageddon". In Hunt, Stephen J. (ed.). Handbook of Global Contemporary Christianity: Movements, Institutions, and Allegiance. Brill. pp. 422–440. ISBN   9789004310780.
  • ——— (2022). Jehovah's Witnesses: A New Introduction. Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN   9781350190894.
  • Chu, Jolene (2023). "When 'No resident will say: "I am sick"': The global religious response of Jehovah's Witnesses to the Covid-19 pandemic". In Chryssides, George D.; Cohn-Sherbok, Dan (eds.). The Covid Pandemic and the World's Religions. Bloomsbury Academic. pp. 185–192. ISBN   9781350349667.
  • Crompton, Robert (1996). Counting the Days to Armageddon: The Jehovah's Witnesses and the Second Presence of Christ. James Clark & Co. ISBN   9780227679395.
  • Gruss, Edmond C. (2003). The Four Presidents of the Watch Tower Society (Jehovah's Witnesses). Xulon Press. ISBN   9781594671319.
  • Knox, Zoe (2018). Jehovah's Witnesses and the Secular World: From the 1870s to the Present. Palgrave Macmillan UK. ISBN   9781137396051.
  • Penton, James (2004). Jehovah's Witnesses and the Third Reich: Sectarian Politics Under Persecution. University of Toronto Press. ISBN   9780802086785.
  • Weddle, David L. (2000). "A New "Generation" of Jehovah's Witnesses: Revised Interpretation, Ritual, and Identity". Nova Religio. 3 (2): 350–367. JSTOR   10.1525/nr.2000.3.2.350.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.