Memorial Day 2020 - John 15.13
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
I’d like to take this moment to acknowledge all of those who have gone before us and who have so willingly served in our armed forces for the freedom, rights and protection that we, as Americans, enjoy today.
I’d be remiss if I failed to point out that this verse was first spoken by Jesus Himself as He tried to help His disciples understand that soon He would be giving His very life for them.
What challenges me about a day like today and when I think about the dedication and sacrifice of those who gave their lives in the line of duty for me is that I was an unknown face and name to them. Not a friend. Not their family. Not their comrade. Just a man. A man who would never have the opportunity to thank them personally and who, most days, is content to just go about his life and business enjoying all of the freedom their death purchased. I need days like today to cause me to stop and weigh the cost of their gifts.
Whether they realized it or not, to me, their service and self-sacrifice is so much like Jesus. These brave men and women graciously and willingly laid down their lives so that another might live. They died for our freedom (today). Jesus died for our freedom (now and forever). They died so that we might live secure (today). He died so that we might live secure (now and forever).
Thank you to all of those who have gone before us and who will courageously follow in their steps someday.
Happy Memorial Day.