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When Memorials Become Shrines Sadly many times man has taken memorials, reminders of some event or thought, and corrupted them by turning them into shrines; that is they have worshiped the memorial instead of honoring that which the memorial stood for. Notice some instances in which this has occurred in OT times and some warnings against doing the same today: |
When Memorials Become Shrines
Sadly many times man has taken memorials, reminders of some event or thought, and corrupted them by turning them into shrines; that is they have worshiped the memorial instead of honoring that which the memorial stood for. Notice some instances in which this has occurred in OT times and some warnings against doing the same today:
- Old Testament Examples:
- The Ark of the Covenant (1 Samuel 4:3) – The people thought it would save them and forgot that it was but a memorial of the presence of God; so they trusted in it rather than in God (cf. Ex. 25:22; Num. 10:35-36).
- The Serpent of Brass (Num. 21:4-9; 2 Kings 18:4) – In time the people worshiped the serpent rather than the powerful God that had saved them.
- The Temple (Jer. 7:4) – God’s house which Solomon built; he knew it could not contain God but asked for His eyes to be on in (cf. 2 Chron 6;18, 20; 7:1). In time the people trusted in the presence of the temple rather than in the presence of God.
- New Testament Warnings:
- The Bible – the Word of God that we are to read and seek after (2 Tim. 2:15, 3:16-17; 1 Pet. 2:2). But some see it as a physical possession to trust in (Rev. 22:14; Jms 1:22).
- Baptism – a memorial of our submission to God’s Will (1 Pet. 3:21) yet to some it is only a ritual in which we get wet and to others it is the sole thing that is necessary in one’s salvation. It is an essential part, but only a part, of God’s plan of salvation whereby He saves us, not ourselves (Eph. 2:8-9).
- Membership in a Congregation – should serve as a reminder that we are part of the household of God (Eph. 2:19) but to some it matters more than whether we have been added and remain a part of the Lamb’s Book of Life (Rev. 3:5, 2015, 21:27).
- The Lord’s Supper – a memorial of Christ’s sacrifice (1 Cor. 11:24-2) yet some have made it the only part of worship that matters, a ritual with no meaning, and/or an act that covers our sins. Instead it is a reminder of the body and blood of Christ (1 Cor. 11:29) and the unity we have in Him (1 Cor. 10:16-17; 1 John 1:7).
