Memorial

The Bible says “When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. 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 26:10-13 (KJV)

In 1867 women at Columbus, Mississippi, decorated the graves of dead soldier heroes of both the North and the South. It inspired that noble poem, “The Blue and the Gray.” There began a widespread feeling that a special day should be set apart for paying tribute to those who had given their lives in the Civil War. And so General John A. Logan, commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued an order designating May 30, 1868, for “Strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country, and whose bodies now lie in most every city, village, or hamlet church yard in the land.” The observance of the day soon became national. In 1874 Congress made it a legal holiday.

Long before Memorial Day celebrations there was a special memorial in Scriptures. Three times in the New Testament the word “memorial” is used and twice it is in reference to this woman who came and anointed Jesus just before He was betrayed by Judas. Not only should we remember what this woman did and her spiritual insight but especially we must remember what Jesus did for all mankind. It was His body broken upon that cruel cross. It was upon His head that crown of thorns was braided. It was His blood that was shed for us. It was His paying a price we could not pay. He was the Perfect Lamb Sacrifice.

It is well we remember those who gave themselves for our freedom in this country. We ought not to take it for granted or lightly what they sacrificed. It is well we remember what this woman did for Jesus. It is far more vital to remember and honor what Jesus did for this world! Daily Chronological Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 23-25