20,000 went. 6,000 returned.
More than 2 out of every 3 did not come home.
Yet even the 6,000 that survived were willing to give up their life and have carried the scars of war throughout their lives.
This was just one division of army soldiers deployed during World War II. One of the 6,000 that came home after fighting on the European front of the War is our member at Crosspoint. At 98 years young, his memories of battle and the heartache of war are very real. With a tear in his eye, he too honors those that fell in battle and sacrificed all to give him and all of us the freedom of the country in which we live.
I will forever be grateful to Ralph, the soldiers he fought with, and all those that sacrificed all in the heat of battle to preserve the freedom in which we live. They have given and done what I never could.
Memorial Day is a sobering reminder of the cost of war. It is not glorious, but brutal. In talking with Ralph just yesterday, he asked, “Why must war take place?”
It’s a good question. The “war that would end all wars” didn’t live up to its billing. The world wars didn’t end all wars…neither did Korea, Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan. American blood continues to be shed at the costly expense of human lives.
Each individual who gave his or her life in sacrifice for our country is to be honored today. Every individual life is also a reminder of the brokenness of sin in our world and the heart that desires to take vengeance on others. Wars between countries and individuals does not solve the spiritual battle that wages within us and between us.
Others can give their life to protect our country and our freedoms. Unfortunately, no other human being can give their life to settle the spiritual battle sin creates. Psalm 49:7-9 states: No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them—
8 the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough—
9 so that they should live on forever and not see decay.
The only one that could enter the battle over Satan and come out victorious is our Savior Jesus. He was willing to give up his life so that we might live with him forever. His heart was one of service. He wasn’t looking for glory or acclaim. He wasn’t looking for power and prestige, but just to serve his fellow man by giving his life as the ultimate sacrifice. Jesus himself put it this way:
Matthew 20:26-28 Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Thank you Jesus for doing for me what I could never do for myself!
Jesus said that until he returns there will be wars and rumors of wars. The list of lives we honor on Memorial Day will, unfortunately, continue to grow. The sinful hearts of mankind will continue to spark wars and physical conflicts. Men and women will give their lives to prevent the freedoms we enjoy from being removed. As we remember these individuals, each one is a small reminder of the ultimate sacrifice Jesus gave for us so that whether our life ends in war or in time of peace, our freedom in heaven is secured forever!
Apply: Take time today to give thanks to God for those who have preserved the freedoms of our country by offering their lives in the line of duty.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for providing bravery to our military to enter battle at the cost of their lives. Let us never take for granted the freedoms you have allowed us to have and let us leverage them for the sake of your Gospel and proclaiming the One who gave his all for us! AMEN.