Memorials Approved by God

Whenever we hear the word memorial, it is typically associated with those who have passed away. For those who passed away with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, there is comfort and solace for we that remain, knowing they get to meet with Jesus, living in eternal rest.

Rarely, if ever, do we think of memorials attributed to the living – memorials dedicated to us in Heaven, because of our good works while here on earth. There is however precedent for such memorials, as we find in Mark 14:3-9:

“And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head.
‭But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted?‬
‭‭For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply.‬‬
‭‭But Jesus said “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me.‬‬
‭‭“For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always.‬‬
‭‭She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial.‬‬
‭‭Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”‬‬

We find from the above verses that what we do here on earth is of impact, here on earth and in Heaven. There are a few salient points to note from these verses:

1. The woman impacted Jesus in the most profound way recorded (personal observation/opinion) without a spoken word, proving that our impact on others does not necessarily have to do with spiritual eloquence. God is more concerned about how we treat and care for others, than the verses of scripture we recite to them. But when we do speak or recite scripture, do our utterances align with our actions and our heart condition/motivation for whatever we do? “I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:10 (NKJV).
2. The woman did not seek or wait for Jesus’s permission to do what was good. Do we seek approval/attention first before doing what we know is right to do? Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. James 4:17 (NKJV).
3. 3. The woman did what was laid on her heart (by the Holy Spirit) to do, without knowing the historical impact of her actions, yet she acted without the need for affirmation from others, neither was she deterred by a concern about what others would think; knowing her motivation was pure. Do your actions/what you do or should do unto the Lord become tainted by your self need for acknowledgment? “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.” Matthew 6:1-2 (NKJV).
4. Even after Jesus’s public praise for her “good work” there is no other mention of this woman or of her ever discussing what she did for Jesus with others. Do you always have to be publicly recognized for the things you do or somehow find a way to make your deed publicly known? “But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” Matthew 6:3 (NLT).

Nothing you do for God’s Kingdom goes unnoticed by Him! Even when what we do in obedience to the prompting of the Holy Spirit is either unappreciated, misconceived or viewed with suspicion, rest assured that God Almighty who sees all, knows all and hears all, recognizes and acknowledges your every act of service for His glory. Be encouraged to keep doing good, knowing that God approved memorials are being established in your honor here on earth and in Heaven. Keep seeking opportunities to be a blessing to others, as a yielded vessel. There is a God approved memorial with your name on it!