Memorial Day
In April 1863, the story is told of an elderly woman living in Columbus, Mississippi who was decorating the graves of her two sons, that died during the civil war. This loving mother then strolled over to the corner of the cemetery to place memorial flowers there also. “Hey what are you doing?” her friends shouted, “Those are the graves of two union soldiers.” With compassion and a soft answer, the mother said, “I know. I also know that somewhere in the North, a mother or a young wife mourns for them as we do for ours.”
Why is this story significant? Because that loving deed set in motion our celebration today which we call Memorial Day. This is when we honor the war dead once a year, but their sacrifice is recognized every day because of the freedoms we enjoy. Because of their sacrifice, we are free to gather ourselves together and worship our God.
It has been estimated that since the Revolutionary War ended, 646,596 American troops have died in battle while more than 539,000 have died from other non-combat related causes. These men and women who served our nation so faithfully and courageously to fight on the great battle fields for our freedom are to be ever remembered. They were great soldiers who gave their all no matter the cost.
For Christians there was Someone else who sacrificed all including His life to set us free. Jesus left the glories of heaven to come to this foreign land to redeem man from his sins. He was the perfect sacrifice to set us free. In Genesis 3:6 we read that Adam and Eve failed the test and sinned. God then tells them in verse 19, that by the sweat of their brow they will have to earn their bread and struggle to provide for their family. Then when their life is over, they will be buried in the ground from which they came and will return to dust. Because of their sin the whole world has become sinful, and all have come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We have all fallen into sin which makes us guilty and deserving of death (Romans 6:23). But is there hope?
Glory be to God there is a plan to save each and everyone of us. In fact, there are two parts to salvation, His part and then our part.
John 3:16, 17 says, that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son to come here and die, and that whoever believes in Him will not perish but be given eternal life. His Son did not come into the world to condemn them but to forgive and save them.
Romans 5:8 tells us, that God showed His love for us while we are still sinners, that He gave His Son for us to die.
This is His part, how about our part? In John 1:12 we are told that those who receive Him and believe Him, have the privilege of becoming the children of God. In Ephesians 2:8-9 we learn that salvation is a free gift, which we cannot earn by “being good.” We are also told that anyone who believes in the Son of God has eternal life, and anyone who does not believe in the Son of God does not have eternal life. As soon as you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and accept Him as your Lord and Savior, you are given eternal life (1 John 5:11-13). Then by faith we invite Jesus into our heart as Savior. Revelation 3:20 tells us that Jesus is standing at your heart’s door knocking, and if you open your heart He will gladly come in and reside. Jesus is calling you to salvation, I hope you accept His invitation.
Jesus died on the battlefield for you and me. Those who died in battlefields far away chose to serve but not to die. Jesus came to this earth knowing that He would die and came anyway. So, this Memorial Day, let us remember those who have died for the freedoms we enjoy today. Let us also remember that Jesus gave His life for our freedom to choose Him and have eternal life.
