This coming weekend focuses the attention of most Americans as a special time to remember those who gave their lives on battlefields, seas and other places of service to our country. The official Memorial Day will be Monday, May 26.
I usually write about this each year, and this one is no exception. I am a proud veteran of the United States Army, having served both here and in South Korea. Monday is not Veterans Day; that will be observed on November 11. Memorial Day is not for us vets; it is a time to remember those from previous wars who willingly served their country and gave their lives in that service.
What Jesus Said
While he was not discussing any specific battle or war, our Lord remarked on the sacrifice of some lives in a way to impact others.He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13 NIV1984).
During basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., I made friends with men from across the nation. In particular, I formed bonds with my platoon buddies. At Fort Devens, Mass., I served alongside even more soldiers who became my friends. Then, at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md., I made even more friends. Our service coincided with the Vietnam War. Although I never served in Vietnam, many of my friends did. Tragically, several of them lost their lives for this country and millions of others in the United States of America. This coming weekend, I will honor their memory and give thanks for their sacrifice.
What Jesus Did
Some people accuse me of being a nationalist — one who worships America. Anyone who knows me knows that it is not true. I worship the One who sent His Son to lay down His life for you and me. However, I am a patriotic American Christian who appreciates the truth of what Jesus said about laying down one’s life for his friends. You see, that is exactly what Jesus did!
Proverbs 17:17 states that “a friend loves at all times….” What a friend we have in Jesus! “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world … as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (I John 4:9-10). I emphasized the word sacrifice because that is exactly what Jesus did — He laid down His life for you and me!
Someday, There Will Be No More Memorial Days
When Satan rebelled against God in Heaven, a war began. That war — the war of good and evil — is still being waged.When Satan deceived Eve and Adam in the Garden, another war began. That is the war that rages in the hearts of unsaved men and women, and has resulted in wars for centuries, especially in the Middle East, and those continue to this day.
But because of mankind’s inability as degenerates, wars have taken place involving the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. America has declared war five times officially — the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II. Others, such as the Vietnam War and the Gulf War, were not declared by Congress. But in every one of them, American service men and women laid down their lives for the continued liberty of America. As has often been stated, “Freedom is not free.” It comes with the price of shed blood and lives lost.
Our Lord said, “… I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15). Jesus laid down His life for His friends, and so did many men and women. It is a time to remember!
