“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.”John 15:13
Memorial Day. A day to remember, to
reflect, and to give thanks.
In the sanctuary of our church, there
are two flags. One is the Christian flag, and the other, the flag of
the United States of America.
Both flags represent freedom. The
Christian flag reminds us of the freedom from sin that Jesus Christ
won for us. The American flag reminds us of the freedom we have
celebrated as a nation for 241 years, and for the freedom that the
citizens of this nation enjoy.
And in both instances, freedom came at
a cost. The ultimate cost.
The freedom that Jesus won for us came
at the cost of his life. He laid down his life, for us.
The freedom that we enjoy in this great
nation also came at the ultimate cost. Over the centuries, countless
men and women in the military have given their lives, so that you and I can live
in freedom. They laid down their lives, for us. Because they loved
this nation, they went to war. For us.
In our town of Georgetown, the local
VFW Post recently dedicated a War Memorial that spans all the wars
our men and women have fought. It is a beautiful tribute to those who
have made the ultimate sacrifice – and to those who were and are
currently willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, our veterans and
current military personnel.
Jesus said, “No greater love is there
than this: that a person is willing to lay down their life for their
friends.” Jesus proved his love for you and me, by dying on the
cross.
The men and women for whom we observe this holiday proved
their love for this nation, and they paid the ultimate cost. Again,
for you and me.
In Katharine Lee Bates's hymn,
“America, the Beautiful,” the third stanza begins with these
words:
O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life!
Bates captures the spirit that you and I
need to remember today. For were there not those “who more than
self their country loved,” I'm not sure what our nation (or our
world) would be like today. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be as free and prosperous and secure as it is right now.
So today as we enjoy a day at the
beach, or an evening barbecue, or a leisurely hike in the mountains,
or just a day off – let us do it with a grateful heart.
Because someone who probably didn't
even know you, gave their life so that you could enjoy the day.
Remember, and give thanks.
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