How can we apply the principle of remembrance from Matthew 26:13 in daily life? Setting the Scene “Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.” (Matthew 26:13) Jesus speaks these words just after a woman pours costly perfume on His head. Her quiet, extravagant act becomes a perpetual memorial. The Lord establishes a principle: when He values something, He makes sure it is remembered. The Heart of Remembrance • Remembrance keeps the works of God—and devotion to God—alive for future generations. • It safeguards us from spiritual amnesia (Deuteronomy 8:2; Psalm 103:2). • It turns private worship into a public testimony (Joshua 4:7). Why Jesus Values Memory • Memory guards the gospel from distortion; concrete stories anchor truth. • It fuels faith—if He acted before, He can act again (Hebrews 13:8). • It multiplies witness; every retelling spreads the fragrance of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:15). Bringing Remembrance Into Today • Tell the stories—your salvation, answered prayers, missionary reports—at the dinner table, in small groups, on social media. • Celebrate Communion thoughtfully: “Do this…in remembrance of Me” (1 Corinthians 11:24-25). • Mark spiritual milestones—baptism anniversaries, deliverances, provision—with annual reminders. • Journal God’s interventions; reread when doubt creeps in. • Create visible memorials: a stone on a shelf, a framed verse, a worship playlist tied to a breakthrough. • Practice sacrificial giving; let generosity write new stories for future believers to recount (Philippians 4:18-19). • Teach children to connect family history with God’s hand (Exodus 12:14). • Use digital cues—calendar alerts labeled with past victories, lock-screen verses, gratitude apps—to nudge the mind toward praise. Habits That Keep the Story Alive Daily • Begin with three “Remember when God…” thank-yous. • End the day jotting one fresh mercy in a notebook or phone note. Weekly • At family meals, rotate sharing a personal testimony. • Enter Sunday service ready to recount a God-moment from the week. Seasonally • Observe Good Friday, Resurrection Sunday, Pentecost, Christmas—with Scripture readings and discussion of their personal impact. • Plan an annual retreat or day hike simply to recall and record God’s faithfulness. Living Memorials The woman in Matthew 26 never hears Jesus’ public commendation, yet her private worship echoes worldwide. Likewise, ordinary believers become “letters…known and read by everyone” (2 Corinthians 3:2-3). Our kindness, courage, purity, and spoken testimony engrave Christ’s story on the hearts of those around us. Encouragement for the Journey Choosing remembrance isn’t nostalgia; it is spiritual warfare against forgetfulness, doubt, and ingratitude. As we intentionally recall and rehearse the mighty acts of God, we join the unnamed woman of Bethany—quietly but powerfully ensuring that wherever the gospel goes, there will be fresh stories worth telling in memory of Him. |
    |