Stones of Remembrance

Memorial Stones

Memorial Day

Every year we set aside a day to remember those who fought and gave their lives for this country.

For most communities there is a speaker, a band playing and a parade.

And, again, for most communities the parade’s destination is the local cemetery, where surrounded by memorial stones, we call grave stones, taps are played and guns are fired in honor of all the veterans, both gone to their final home or still living among us.

We all have memories of Memorial day past and will continue to build more memories on Memorial Days in the future.

Stones of Remembrance for Israelites

Read Joshua 4:1-3

Joshua 4:1–3 NIV84

When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan from right where the priests stood and to carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.”

12 stones from 1 man from each tribe

What memories were being represented by these stones?

Reminiscent of the Red Sea crossing

The 40 years in the wilderness

Personal stories of their own tribes victories and defeats

The situations in our own lives that may leave Stones of Remembrance

We have the promise that God will always guide and protect us.

Read Isaiah 43:2-5

Isaiah 43:2–5 NIV84

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.

As believers, remembering is important because it highlights the power of God.

What are some memories in your life that, as you look back, you can see how the power of God was working.

Jesus set up three very power Stones of Remembrance during the last day of His life and the first day of His resurrection.

Read Luke 22:14-20

Luke 22:14–29 NIV84

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him.” They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this. Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me,

The bread and the cup are memorial stones which we have when we partake of Communion.

The Second stone was the Cross as the vehicle for God to forgive our sins.

Read Luke 23:34

Luke 23:34 NIV84

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

We he said this he wasn’t just looking at the guards, He was looking through time right at us and offering the same promise

The third stone was the one that was rolled away so that New Life could burst forth from the tomb.

Read John 20:1 and 20:21-23

John 20:1 NIV84

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.

John 20:21–23 NIV84

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Memory stones are important.

Tomorrow we will celebrate and remember those who served our country.

When the Israelites gathered their stone and Joshua built a monument out of them, they remembered just how far God had taken them through the generations.

When Jesus was facing his last day of life and His first day of resurrection, He set up memorial stones that we can us as a reference to just how much God loves us.

What memory “stones” do you cherish in your life? How can you turn them into a testimony to others showing God’s work in your life?