by Robert C. Veil, Jr.
While passing through a cemetery, I notice stones of special interest. Some have intricate carving
or beautiful designs. Others are strikingly simple, yet lovely. They may contain the names of loved
ones from long ago. One had a faded, oval photograph. Most of these names are unknown or
forgotten. I have seen grave stones in the shape of Bibles, crosses, trees, and great obelisks. Many
of the older ones contain a verse of Scripture, or a line or two in memory of the one buried there.
They are made of marble or other enduring stone, sometimes adorned with flowers or other tokens
deposited by loved ones for a while. But eventually the loved ones grow old and die, the stone is
forgotten, and its special meaning is unknown to modern passersby.
As the Israelites entered the promised land, Joshua was told to have 12 men each carry a
stone from the Jordan River, and lay them into a structure, “that this may be a sign among you.
When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell
them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When
it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the
people of Israel a memorial forever,” (Joshua 4:6-7).
Even the most enduring stone monuments must be maintained in order to retain their
significance. There must be continued teaching and reminders about what they mean. In
Washington, DC stands a great monument to America’s first president, George Washington. It’s
hard to imagine that this stone structure could ever lose its significance, but I remember a few
years ago feeling the tremors of a distant earthquake as I worked in our yard. Later, I was told that
the quake had damaged the Washington Monument, which was closed for several months
thereafter. I thought about how even such a substantial memorial is ultimately very temporary.
Will the time ever come when the people lose interest in maintaining and honoring it?
I have an older vehicle I was recently admiring. It’s a 1982 Mercedes-Benz 300-D Turbo
Diesel. It is a memorial to the engineering of another day and time. Even now it provides a good
solid, comfortable ride. But I thought about the engineers who designed it, and the mechanics who
maintained it. Where are they? Most have retired or died. Who will be interested in retaining their
specialized knowledge? As those mechanics die away, who will lovingly care for and maintain
that car? Most younger people will think they would rather have something newer, and the
engineering marvels of the past will gradually be forgotten. Someone may ask, “What was this?
What did this mean?”
When I think of memorials, I realize that the physical ones are all temporary, and destined
to fade away. The real memorials which endure are the godly lives of men and women who have
gone on to their eternal reward. They made a difference in this world.
Each Sunday we observe a memorial. Although the table at the front of the auditorium has
beautiful carving on it, the table is not what is enduring or truly significant. The simple, yet
profound memorial of the Lord’s supper has endured for 2,000 years, and will continue, Paul said,
“till he come,” (1 Corinthians 11:26). As the emblems are passed, and our children ask, “what does
this mean?” they are gently taught from generation to generation about the significance of the death
of Jesus Christ.
“What do these stones mean?” They mean that someone has gone before you who deserves
your honor and your respect. This house that your grandfather built. This piece of equipment that
your father’s friend designed and manufactured. These soldiers who gave their lives that you might
be free. Our Lord, who shed his blood to purchase the church. It’s about respect and duty. It’s about
remembering those who have gone before, and living your life accordingly. It’s about coming to
grips with the fact that I may not be the most important person in the world after all. But, I too can
make a difference for those who may come after. As Emerson said, “Lives of great men all remind
us, we can make our lives sublime; and, departing, leave behind us, footprints on the sands of
time.” That’s what these stones mean.
