By definition, the word MEMORIAL means "anything meant to help people remember some person or event, as a monument, trust fund, holiday, etc." (Webster's New World Dictionary).

Memorials are very important in our country. Our nation is filled with monuments, memorial high-ways and streets named after individuals. We even have an entire day set aside (Memorial Day) for the purpose of remembering those who died in active military service to our nation.

As one reads the Bible he will find that memorials are very important to God. The word "memorial" is found 32 times in the King James Version of the Bible. It appears 29 times in the Old Testament, 22 of these appearances are found in the first five books of the Bible (the Pentateuch). Thus, the idea of a memorial is set forth and emphasized very early in the word of God. Among these memorials in the Old Testament are the Passover (Ex. 12:14), the breastplate of the High Priest (Ex. 28:12) and the monument of stones taken from the Jordan River (Joshua 4:7).

The word "memorial" appears only three times in the New Testament. Twice it refers to the woman who anointed the feet of Jesus (Matt. 26:13; Mark 14:9) and once it refers to the prayers and alms of Cornelius (Acts 10:4).

However, the Christian knows the greatest memorial set forth in the Bible is the one observed in the assembly of the saints every Lord's Day. It is the Lord's Supper, established by the Lord for the purpose of remembering His suffering and death. "And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me'" (Luke 22:19; c.f. 1 Cor. 11:23-26). As we partake of the unleavened bread and fruit of the vine we are to remember the price Jesus paid on the cross to secure our freedom from sin.