Memorial Day is a sobering reminder of the high cost of war as we remember those who have given their lives in battle. This hits home for some as they have experienced such a loss of a loved one. It is a tragedy that no one wants to go through. This holiday weekend helps to put the Lord’s Supper into perspective. It is a weekly remembrance of the One who gave His life in the ultimate battle. He did it for us.
It is hard to realize that we are in such a war. We don’t suffer physical wounds or carry visible scars. At least, we don’t think that we do. The drug addicted is seldom thought of as a P.O.W. The workaholic is usually viewed as ambitious and respectable. Satan’s wounds are not so obvious. Yes, there is visible evidence but they are more symptom than problem. They are evidence that there are internal issues.
Jesus came to heal the inner person. The external merely reflects the internal. There is much collateral damage along the way when a heart has been given over to the evil one (Romans 3:10-18). They leave a trail of profanity, dishonesty, bloodshed and pain. Respect for God is reflected in our lifestyles. It becomes clear in the streets and in our individual actions whenever regard for the Lord is lost. The Son of God gave His life to win the war. The first day of every week, we remember.
A serpent fired the first shot in the war. He invaded paradise and sought to undermine the veracity of God. The evil one has a variety of methods but the same intent of driving a wedge between humanity and deity. The battlefields are our hearts and minds. We tumble into his trap as soon as we take the first bite of the forbidden fruit and internalize sin. Whatever is inside will eventually emerge. Distorted thinking exposes itself in actions. Jesus came to free us from the grip of evil. His blood is the cleansing agent for which we have a weekly reminder of our liberation.
God sent His Son into battle. Others have done that in worldly conflicts and prayed for their safe return. His Father sent Him to die. It is hard to fathom that kind of love. Humanity’s indifference to the most significant event in history is equally hard to understand. “Do this in remembrance of me.” A holy body and innocent blood suffering an excruciating death for the unholy and guilty. Unimaginable but true. Memorial Day is a time to remember the sacrifices of those who marched into combat and never returned. Sadly, there will be more. Wars will never end. The dying won’t either. The casualties are sad and we should never forget those who gave their lives. More importantly, we must never forget the one gave His life and rose again.