In the biblical narrative, memorials serve as significant markers that remind the faithful of God's actions, both in judgment and in grace. These memorials are often physical objects or events that symbolize deeper spiritual truths, serving as reminders of humanity's sinfulness and God's redemptive grace.

Memorials of Sin

1. The Rainbow: After the flood, God set the rainbow in the sky as a covenant with Noah and all living creatures. It serves as a reminder of God's judgment on sin through the flood and His promise never to destroy the earth by water again. Genesis 9:13-15 states, "I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. Whenever I form clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember My covenant between Me and you and all living creatures of every kind."

2. The Pillar of Salt: Lot's wife, turning back to look at the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, became a pillar of salt. This serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience and longing for a sinful past. Luke 17:32 succinctly warns, "Remember Lot’s wife!"

3. The Bronze Serpent: In the wilderness, the Israelites were plagued by venomous snakes due to their sin. God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole; those who looked at it were healed. This event is a memorial of sin and the provision of salvation through faith. Numbers 21:8-9 recounts, "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.' So Moses made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever anyone who was bitten looked at the bronze serpent, he lived."

Memorials of Grace

1. The Passover: Instituted as a perpetual memorial, the Passover commemorates God's deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. It is a profound symbol of grace, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, the Lamb of God. Exodus 12:14 declares, "This day is to be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD. You are to celebrate it as a permanent statute for the generations to come."

2. The Stones of Gilgal: After crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land, Joshua set up twelve stones as a memorial of God's faithfulness in bringing Israel into the land He had promised. Joshua 4:7 explains, "These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."

3. The Lord's Supper: Instituted by Jesus Christ, the Lord's Supper is a memorial of His sacrificial death and the new covenant in His blood. It is a continual reminder of grace, redemption, and the hope of His return. 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 records, "And when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.'"

These memorials, both of sin and grace, serve to remind believers of the gravity of sin and the boundless grace of God. They call the faithful to remember, reflect, and respond to God's actions throughout history, encouraging a life of obedience and gratitude.