A Costly Memorial Series

In Great Britain, a butcher specified in his will that he be cremated and that at his memorial service the organ was to play Cole Porter’s song, “Every Time We Say Goodbye.” Well, he got half his wish. He was cremated, but the organist brought the wrong Cole Porter Sheet Music. Instead of playing, “Every Time We Say Goodbye,” he played “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes!” (Associated Press, March 22, 1990).

Appropriate, I think, for a cremation ceremony.

As you think about what Jesus did for us on the cross, what would be an appropriate memorial for Him? How do you properly remember the One who died to save your soul? Well, if you have your Bibles, I invite you to turn with me to John 12, John 12, where Jesus commends a woman for the memorial she rendered to Him, right before He died on the cross.

John 12:1-3 Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume (ESV).

How do you memorialize the Savior? Well, first…

MAKE IT A COSTLY MEMORIAL.

Don’t do it cheaply. Do it extravagantly. Give your best to the Master.

That’s what Mary did. When Mary came to the feet of Jesus, she took the place of a slave. When she undid her hair (something Jewish women never did in public), she humbled herself and laid her glory at His feet. When she broke the alabaster box of perfume, she gave the best she had. It was a public, spontaneous, sacrificial and lavish gift.

She gave a very precious perfume that came from the Himalayas in northern India. It came sealed in an alabaster box, and it was to be opened only on special occasions. The perfume itself was worth 300 denarii, 11 months wages, and perhaps Mary’s entire life savings. It was the best she had, and she gave it all to Jesus.

At a church meeting, a very wealthy man rose to tell the rest of those present about his Christian faith. “I’m a millionaire,” he said, “and I attribute it all to the rich blessings of God in my life. I remember that turning point in my faith. I had just earned my first dollar, and I went to a church meeting that night. The speaker was a missionary who told about his work. I knew that I only had a dollar bill and had to either give it all to God’s work or nothing at all. So at that moment I decided to give my whole dollar to God. I believe that God blessed that decision, and that is why I am a rich man today.”

He finished, and there was an awed silence at his testimony as he moved toward his seat. As he sat down, a little old lady sitting in the same pew leaned over and said to him, “I dare you to do it again” (James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited, p.458)

Sometimes, it’s a little easier to give when you’re poor than when you’re rich. But no matter what your station in life, Jesus deserves all that you have. He deserves your very best. Jesus deserves a lavish and sacrificial expression of praise and gratitude.

Louis Evans, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Hollywood, visited a mission field in Africa, and there he saw a doctor who gave up a lucrative practice to be a missionary. The doctor invited him to observe a major surgery. Dr. Evans noticed the obvious strain of on the surgeon after the surgery.

“How many times a week do you do this kind of procedure.”

“Sometimes, several times a day.”

“How much would you have charged for this surgery in the States?”

The surgeon told him the price.

“How much will you get here?”

Beads of perspiration were still in his face and his lips were purple when he replied, “A few dollars, a smile of gratitude, and the blessing of God. Man, this is really living!”

That surgeon gave his life sacrificially, and God blessed him for it.

Now, God may not call you overseas like that. But no matter where you are, Jesus deserves your very best. He deserves a lavish expression of your love. He deserves all that you have to give Him. So if you want to remember Him in an appropriate way, make it a costly memorial. However, if you give your all…

EXPECT PEOPLE TO CRITICIZE YOUR MEMORIAL.