Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be
strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day
of remembrance of those who have died in our nation's service. It is a
time to remember, reflect, and honor those brave men and women who have
selflessly given their lives to keep us free. Because of these brave
heroes, through the grace of God, America became and remains the greatest
nation in the world. John 15:12-14 (NIV) 12 My command is this:
Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one
than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are
my friends if you do what I command.
Here, we find that our Lord recognized the
tremendous sacrifice involved when a person is willing to give up their life
for their friend. He describes it as an act of “great
love.” Who better to be able to understand and define the very
essence of self-sacrifice and love, but our Lord Himself?
Think about what Christ has done for His
people. He willingly humbled Himself and came to the earth, God in human
flesh, giving up the glories of heaven to live among us. Then,
during His life on earth, He set the ultimate example of service, teaching, feeding,
praying for and healing those who were in need. Next, He was
willing to be falsely accused, mocked, physically beaten, mistreated and
convicted for a set of crimes that He did not commit. Finally, submitting to a
horrible death of slow suffocation while hanging on a cross, all so that His
people could receive forgiveness and deliverance from their sin and its
results. This is what the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
brought about for us.
Remember in the above verses Christ Himself
said there was no greater love among man than to die for a friend? How
much greater is a love that would make Jesus, God the Son, be willing to
die for an enemy, one that wants nothing to do with Him and who rebels against
Him at every turn? It is described as “the love of God” that cannot be
fully understood by man. Romans 5:8
(NIV) 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were
still sinners, Christ died for us. This is the ultimate example of love for another.
On this Memorial Day weekend, let us remember the
brave soldiers who have so unselfishly given of themselves for us.
Let’s not only appreciate their actions but then take steps to help these
veterans and their families whenever and wherever we can.
But also this weekend, let us remember the Lord Jesus
Christ and all that He has done for us so that we might be saved from our sins
and live a life of victory through Him. And then out of appreciation for
His works, let us give ourselves for others, obeying the perfect law of
Christ…that is to love one another.
Scripture to Claim:
Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.- John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.- John 15:13
