Jesus is recognized by many, including outside of the Christian faith (Muslims, Hindus etc.), as a great teacher - if not the greatest teacher. Jesus tied information/lessons to everyday events, surroundings and objects from camels, to fish, to bread, to the crowing of a cock, etc. - to things the particular audience could relate to, thereby increasing their ability to recall it:
Mat.16:9.."Do you still not understand? Don't you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?" - guaranteed instantly they would recall the event and learn the lesson! Mnemonics - visual imagery, using objects, etc. - have been used for many thousands of years to tie into information and consequently to remind, and recall the information later.
Tying information to an object to be triggered back later is not that difficult, yet it can be a powerful device. Probably the most painful moment for Peter was his denial of Jesus. Jesus linked the information to the crowing of the cock. Therefore Peter instantly remember, not so much because of the time but rather because the crowing cock triggering the recall of the prophecy by Jesus.
Mat. 26:75.. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the cock crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.
For the rest of his life, whenever a cock crowed, Peter would recall the denial.
1 Cor. 11:24.. and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."
25.. In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."
What I offer here should help by better utilizing (being good stewards of our memory abilities) what we have all been given - placing God's Word upon the portals of our mind where it can gain maximum benefit. The goal for me personally as a Christian, is to memorize and accurately recall God's truth and know where the exact verses referenced are found in the Bible - His "Word". More important, I wish to help the average Christian realize they too have the same ability and to utilize it, gaining a renewed enthusiasm. The ultimate goal would then be helping others to become more mature and confident in their own faith and a greater instrument for God, bringing His love, His truth, His presence into their surrounding.
