Let’s ponder, in our hearts, this Memorial Day, the blood sacrifice for our freedom. Those who were/are willing to sacrifice their lives for others, all in the name of freedom.
One would think, to be free, they would NOT have to sacrifice themselves. Isn’t that the point of being free? To seek
Why do we serve and risk our lives for others? The reasons vary greatly, don’t they? Career? For an education? For our country? For duty? Honor? Freedom? Love?... Maybe a good mixture of many different reasons. There are so many people we could remember during this holiday: soldiers, coal-miners, nurses, missionaries… Jesus…
On July 4th, 1776, The United States Declaration of Independence, which was primarily written by Thomas Jefferson, was adopted by the Second Continental Congress. The text of the second section of the Declaration of Independence:
“We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Please make a mental note that our forefathers believed we were created by a Creator (God Almighty).
To be a Christian willing to die for others would make sense. We’ve learned how to sacrifice ourselves by Jesus’ example. Also, we have a prize waiting for us, if we should die. But, do you realize that there are many who sacrifice their lives without any hope of eternal life? They are willing to cut their lives short, for… what?
Yes, there’s a high price given for our freedom, and we should be thankful.
I encourage you today, if you are in a ‘risky’ line of work, serving others, willing to die (sooner than later), for our freedom… and you are not a Christian, and you’re not really sure if there’s an after-life, an eternal life, a Heaven, Hell… I encourage you to listen to my next question. Why are you willing to die for us? I want you to think of 3 reasons… Did your parents teach you to be honorable? Is it to give your children a better life? Are you serving your country for a better career or an education?
If you are willing to die for us, for freedom, for love… then you already know the story of Jesus. Jesus died for our freedom. Jesus died for our sins. Jesus gave His life so that you could have one – without guilt, shame, Hell… So, why is the story of Jesus so hard for you to believe?
Doesn’t it make sense that God would choose to sacrifice his only Son as the highest sacrifice he could give? Do you have children? Could you sacrifice your son or daughter to save a world full of thieves, liars, murderers, religious leaders... (who would beat and nail your child to a cross, instead of thanking him/her for their willingness to die for them)? You may choose to sacrifice yourself, but could you sacrifice your only son… for our freedom?
If you are a Christian, then let me ask you a question? How are you pursuing happiness?
Jesus said: "No servant can serve two masters, because either he will hate one and love the other, or be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and wealth!" Luke 16:13
Maybe just maybe… since our Christian forefathers were inspired by God’s Holy Word… the pursuit of happiness wasn’t in earthly possessions, image, pride, employment, status... but rather in Jesus Christ, being a servant, willing to tell others about Jesus, willing to lay our lives down for Jesus’ sake.
You may be telling yourself that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice so that you wouldn’t have to. Please read the red letters in the verse above (again and again), spoken by Jesus… then read the following verses spoken by Jesus.