Memorials in the Bible
A memorial is an object which serves as a focus for memory of something, usually a person (who has died) or an event. The most common type of memorial is the gravestone or the memorial plaque. Also common are war memorials commemorating those who have died in wars.
God has given us many memorials. This week we will look at six of them.
OINTMENT POURED ON JESUS BODY
12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. (Matthew 26: 12-13)
In Matthew 26:12-13, Jesus says that the woman who anointed his body with ointment did so to prepare him for burial. He further states that her act will be told wherever the gospel is preached as a memorial of her. This highlights the significance of her action in preparing Jesus for his upcoming death and emphasizes the enduring nature of her faith and love.
The passage from Matthew 26 describes an event where a woman anoints Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume (ointment) at a banquet.
The woman (identified as Mary Magdalene in other accounts) breaks a flask of precious perfume and pours it on Jesus’ feet, wiping them with her hair.
Jesus acknowledges that Mary’s action is an act of preparing him for his burial. He emphasizes that her action is a good deed and will be remembered.
Jesus states that Mary’s act will be told wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, serving as a memorial of her faith and devotion. This highlights the enduring nature of her action and its significance in the context of the gospel message.
PRAYER AND ALMS
And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. (Acts 10:4)
In Acts 10:4, the angel informs Cornelius that his prayers and alms are a memorial offering before God, signifying God’s acceptance and remembrance of his devotion. “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God”:
This phrase emphasizes that Cornelius’s prayers and charitable deeds have been acknowledged and remembered by God.
The term “memorial offering” draws a parallel to the sacrifices of the old covenant, suggesting that God has accepted Cornelius’s offerings as pleasing to him.This phrase highlights God’s acknowledgement of Cornelius’s faith and acts of charity.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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