A Memorial of the Woman - Matthew 26:13

Matthew the apostle wrote how a woman came to Jesus, “having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, to what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble you the woman? for she has wrought a good work upon me. For you have the poor always with you; but me you have not always. For in that she has poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial”, and in chapter twenty-six and verse thirteen of his book, Matthew writes how Jesus said, “wheresoever this gospel shall be preached … that this woman has done” will “be told for a memorial of her” where we read:

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world,

there shall also this, that this woman has done, be told for a memorial of her.

The verse reads, “Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, ...” Matthew began with Jesus' word, “verily” which means “truly and surely” “I say” or “Jesus utters, declares and proclaims” “unto you” which means “to Jesus' disciples”, “wheresoever” or “in whatever place” “this gospel” which refers to “the good news and tidings” “shall be preached” or “will be heralded, published and proclaimed openly” “in the whole world” which means “in the entire arable land, territory, region and district”. Matthew shared how Jesus made a certain statement about whatever place the “good news” of God for the salvation of man will be heralded in all the “world”.

The verse goes on to say, “... there shall also this, that this woman has done, be told for a memorial of her.” Matthew continued with the words, “there shall also this” which means “there will even and indeed exist the following”, “that this woman has done” or “the act of the woman pouring the burial ointment upon Jesus' head”, “be told” which means “be spoken, declared and uttered” “for a memorial” or “toward a remembrance and record” “of her” which refers to “the woman”. Matthew shared how Jesus said when the “gospel is preached” the story of this woman would be told and be a record of what she did.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus memorialized the act of this woman. Those who read these words of Matthew give attention to what Jesus promised because the story of this woman was written by him. God loves people, and when they pour out their worship upon Him, He is pleased. He sent His Son Jesus to “save” every person who believes and trusts in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, and when they give Him glory for knowing and understanding who He is, He shall remember it for all the ages to come.

Next time Matthew shares how, “Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.