Remember

In the United States there is an annual holiday that was instituted to remember the fallen military heroes. Many brave men and women have sacrificed their lives to establish and protect the freedoms that we enjoy as US citizens. They fought valiantly and did not return to live in the freedom that was won by the sweat and blood. Memorial Day is a day to remember their sacrifice.

Over the years this holiday has lost much of its initial intent. Many will spend the day having picnics with friends, catching up on housing projects or filling the day off of work in various ways. For some the thought of those brave men and women will not even cross their minds. The day will be just another day of living in the freedom provided us, without remembering and being grateful for those who bought that freedom  with their lives.

Others will be overcome with the grief of the personal loss that accompanies the death of the service man or woman. As time goes on these families will pick up the pieces of their lives and continue on, but the loss will remain. The memories will not be confined to the fourth Monday in May. Memories of the love and laughter that these people brought to life will always be in the hearts of those in best.

2000 years ago Jesus Christ went to the cross to pay the ultimate price in the battle between sin and righteousness. “For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].”  (2 Corinthians 5:21 AMP) With that supreme sacrifice freedom from the power of sin and death was offered to all mankind. “But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name.”  (John 1:12 AMP) Many now walk in the freedom that Jesus has provided. We not only have a promise of eternal life, but we also live by the power of the Holy Spirit. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom).” (2 Corinthians 3:17 AMP)

Since the death and resurrection of Jesus, many others have also given their lives. Beginning with Stephen (see Acts chapter 7) people have given their lives over the last two centuries to proclaim the gospel of freedom through Jesus Christ. Several New Testament characters, including Peter and Paul, were martyred. Many believers in many countries have also lost their lives for speaking the truth concerning God’s plan of redemption. People are still being tortured and murdered today.

The night before Jesus was to be crucified He celebrated Passover with His closest disciples. He told them to remember Him. “…that the Lord Jesus on the night when He was treacherously delivered up and while His betrayal was in progress took bread, And when He had given thanks, He broke [it] and said, Take, eat. This is My body, which is broken for you. Do this to call Me [affectionately] to remembrance. Similarly when supper was ended, He took the cup also, saying, This cup is the new covenant [ratified and established] in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink [it], to call Me [affectionately] to remembrance.  For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are representing and signifying and proclaiming the fact of the Lord's death until He comes [again].” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 AMP) To this day we who are believers participate in this remembrance. There is a risk of participating in what is commonly referred to as the “Lord’s Supper” or “Communion” without truly taking the time to remember and be grateful for that extreme sacrifice. We can eat the bread and wine and go on unchanged just as we can have cookouts without ever thinking of those who given their lives. This should never be true.

In addition to keeping the memory of what Jesus has done for us we should also remember the sacrifices of brothers and sisters in the Lord who have given their lives for the gospel. Reading their stories can help us truly understand how blessed that we are. We must also not forget those who are suffering now for the sake of Jesus. We can and should take time to pray for them. “Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).” (Ephesians 6:18 AMP)

So on this Memorial Day - 2015, take a moment to reflect on the sacrifice of people who have fought for our freedom. Daily consider the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the blessings you have received. And frequently pray for those who are currently suffering to bring His message to others.