DO YOU HAVE A MEMORIAL?

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Today’s Reading:

Zechariah 6:9-15             

“Now the elaborate crown shall be for a memorial in the temple of the Lord for Helem, Tobijah … and then the son of Zephaniah.”      (v.14)

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The memories of loved ones are generally kept by the living loved ones. These memories could be kept in the hearts or made into memorials, which serve or are made to preserve the memories or done in remembrance of the loved ones. It could be an object, monument, event or written document or record. A “memorial” could also mean a recognition of meritorious service done by one or more persons. A popular biblical example of a “memorial” is found in the book of Esther. It is recorded in Esth. 6:1-3, 7-11, how King Ahasuerus could not sleep and then it was commanded that the book of records (memorial) of the chronicles be brought out. The records were then read before him. It was found written that Mordecai, an exiled Jew who sat within the king’s gate, had in the past leaked the secret of two doorkeepers of the king, who had sought to lay hands on the king himself.

The king was moved at this information, and he asked what honour or dignity had been bestowed on Mordecai. When the king’s servants responded that nothing had been done, he instructed that Mordecai be clothed in his royal robe, mounted on his horse, which had a royal crest on its head, and be paraded through the city square, and proclaimed as the one the king delighted to honour. This is an example of how one can benefit from a memorial written in respect of a good deed done to another. In today’s reading passage, verse 9-14, a memorial in the form of an elaborate crown was instructed to be put in the temple for Helem, Tobijah, Jedediah and Hen, some Jews who had returned from Babylon, where they had been exiled. It all started when the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah, that he should take the gift brought by the above captives who had returned from Babylon. He was to take the silver and gold brought and make an elaborate crown, and set it on the head of the high priest, Joshua, the son of Jehozadak. Thereafter, the prophet was asked by the Lord to speak to Joshua that he should behold the man whose name is the BRANCH, who would branch out from his place and should build the temple of the Lord, bear the glory and would sit and rule on his throne. So, He shall be a priest on his throne.

After prophet Zechariah had spoken this word of the Lord to Joshua the high priest, and the temple had been built, the elaborate crown made with silver and gold was to be placed in the temple as a memorial for the four captives from Babylon, who gave the gift for it to be made. The good deed of these men was to stand as a monument in the temple of God, as a memorial for them. No doubt, God is mindful of man’s good deeds, and He allows and uses fellow men to keep them in remembrance. These would stand as examples for others from generation to generation, as monuments, records or other forms of memorial.

The question is – do you have a memorial?

If your answer is yes, then you may still have many more as long as you are still living. You should not stop doing good deeds in many forms, so that more memorials will be made for you here on earth. More important is the fact that man’s good deeds also have records and memorials in the form of objects in heaven.  These include crowns of life, of righteousness, of glory, and so on.

However, if the answer to the question is no, then you still have an opportunity to ensure that you have memorials before you depart from this side of eternity and also have them in heaven. If you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, then it may be difficult for you to appreciate the need for and to strive to have a lasting memorial while still here on earth, and much more in heaven. Accept the gift Of God, Jesus Christ, whom He sent to the earth to reconcile man with him after the fall in Eden (Gen. 3). Once you do this, you become part of the family of God, and He sends you the Holy Spirit who will teach and help you to live your life for him and how to have memorials here on earth, that even live after you, and also in heaven too.

                                                                        CHRISTIE KUPOLUYI

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To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”

 If you said the prayer, Congratulations! You are welcome to the body of Christ. Prayerfully seek out a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor, or priest.

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Prayer:

1. Heavenly Father, thank you for creating us in your image and likeness.

2. Father Lord, we appreciate the gift of salvation given to mankind by your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

3. Precious Saviour, thank you for teaching us all things, including doing good deeds so that we have memorials, both on earth and in heaven.

4. Lord, please teach the church leaders to teach the believers how to do good deeds that result in memorials.

5. Father, please deliver the leaders and the masses from evil deeds and lead us all to do good deeds that result in memorials.