(Mat 26:6-13) Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, {7} There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. {8} But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? {9} For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. {10} When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. {11} For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. {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.
Our text today is about a woman who did something extravagant for Jesus that He said would be a memorial for her wherever the gospel would be preached. It was extravagant in its cost and the sacrifice she made for it. The worth was probably about a year’s wages or a little less. How many of us would give nearly a year’s wages in the offering at church today? This is what she did and others complained about being so “radical” about giving to Jesus.
As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, we have to wonder, “What will Americas be remembered by or for in years to come?” Equally relevant is, “What will the church and Christians be remembered for in these days we live in?”
The days we live in are serious and filled with potential for Christians and the church. As the U.S. Supreme Court has decided about the legality of same sex marriages, Christians and the true church must be ready to be remembered for one thing or another.
This holiday was set aside in order to remind people of the great sacrifice that was made by many men and women (some who made the ultimate sacrifice of their life) so that we might have freedom from tyranny in America. The enemy of freedom tried to terrorize the world by threat of domination and subjugation, but free men and women rose up and said, “No, you cannot, will not do it.” They fought and died so that we can live in peace and safety from their oppression. Not all of their followers were fully behind their quest for power, but they went along rather than come against the power that the minority had attained.
Today however, we have another form of oppression – that of a very few forcing their sin upon the rest. Only about 2-3 percent of the population is gay and only about half of them (1-1.5%) really desire the right to marry. But the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of their quest and force upon the rest that mixed up life style.
It is then that we, America, will become like Smyrna spoken of by Jesus in Revelation 2:8-11. The church will be attacked by that very small majority joined by those who are also deceived and the compromising church and professed Christians to submit and come under their demands. Will we have a memorial for us and what will it be? Will it be the memorial of surrender and submitting or will it be the memorial of lovingly standing against sin and probably submitting to the punishment and perhaps more from the enforcement officials. We do not know what all it will mean, but if the radicals have a say we are in for more than a picnic.
When the church was first started the disciples proclaimed the truth about Jesus and people were getting saved. But the religious leaders were feeling struck because the disciples straight forwardly told them of their sin. The disciples were told not to preach in Jesus’ name any more, but since their orders were from God and not man, they refused to obey. They were called into the council and then beaten for their disobedience. Their reaction may need to be our example soon – “. . . when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. {41} And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. {42} And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” They were not intimidated nor distracted from neither their purpose nor the commands of God, yet they submitted to the punishment meted out by those in authority and rejoiced they were counted worthy to suffer for Him. We are told today that the church and attending services is non-essential and we are to bow to Caesar (the governor) and do obeisance to him. The liberals and God-haters have propagated lies in order to subjugate all people to "obedient slaves" and do as they say. They have accomplished too much through fear and it is time for Christians everywhere to cast off fear and stand for Jesus, their true love.
As the time of Christ’s return grows nearer, we can expect persecutions to increase and become more intense. We will need to determine what we do and what for memorial will be made for us – not in the world, but before God and His Holy angels.