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What does the Bible say about memorial day?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible calls God’s people to remember with gratitude those who have died, to honor sacrificial love, and to place their hope in Christ’s victory over death. John 15:13 points to the highest earthly expression of love in laying down one’s life for others, while Proverbs 10:7 commends the blessed memory of the righteous. Psalm 116:15 assures believers that the death of God’s saints is precious to the Lord. Joshua 4:1-9 shows that memorials may help future generations recall God’s faithful deeds. Yet Christian remembrance is not despairing: in Adam all die, but in Christ believers shall be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:22), and Jesus gives enduring peace (John 14:27).

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • John 15:13 10 votes

    Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

  • John 14:27 4 votes

    Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.

  • 2 Timothy 2:3 3 votes

    You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

  • Hebrews 4:12 3 votes

    For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:22 3 votes

    For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

  • Proverbs 10:7 3 votes

    The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot.

  • Psalms 82:3-4 3 votes

    “Defend the weak, the poor, and the fatherless. Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy. Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.”

  • Isaiah 55:11 3 votes

    so is my word that goes out of my mouth: it will not return to me void, but it will accomplish that which I please, and it will prosper in the thing I sent it to do.

  • Psalms 116:15 3 votes

    Precious in Yahweh’s sight is the death of his saints.

  • Joshua 4:1-9 2 votes

    When all the nation had completely crossed over the Jordan, Yahweh spoke to Joshua, saying, “Take twelve men out of the people, a man out of every tribe, and command them, saying, ‘Take from out of the middle of the Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, carry them over with you, and lay them down in the place where you’ll camp tonight.’” Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, a man out of every tribe. Joshua said to them, “Cross before the ark of Yahweh your God into the middle of the Jordan, and each of you pick up a stone and put it on your shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel; that this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask in the future, saying, ‘What do you mean by these stones?’ then you shall tell them, ‘Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of Yahweh’s covenant. When it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.’” The children of Israel did as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the middle of the Jordan, as Yahweh spoke to Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel. They carried them over with them to the place where they camped, and laid them down there. Joshua set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood; and they are there to this day.

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