Memorial Day – In Remembrance

Memorial Day has historically been to honor military veterans who have died. My early childhood memories, though, included all the deceased. Memorial Day was the day to visit the graves of all deceased family members – to have remembrance of them. Taking “communion” is a “memorial day” of sorts, remembering Jesus. The bread and wine are remembrances of his body and blood, respectively.

Memorial Day is a remembrance of veteran’s bodies and blood that they were willing to shed for others. Those who served in the armed forces and risked their lives deserve to be honored. They thought it fit to shed their blood for the nation, indubitably for freedom. Jesus died for the freedom from sin and from the chains of Satan. It is noble to fight for just causes and freedom has always been just. Although many came home from war or were safe from the roar of artillery, they were still willing to be there if necessary. We the people, are still free today because others were willing to risk their lives on our behalf. None of them knew they were coming home. Many merely deflected those thoughts, but many more depended on God for their safety.

Christians are admonished to love God, not only for his willingness to die, but his very plan to die. Jesus knew all his life his purpose. The Third Commandment can be interpreted to mean, to not take Jesus’s purpose vainly. Neither should we take the soldier’s, sailor’s, airmen’s, or marine’s purposes vainly. If they are dead, they deserve your respect; if they are alive, they deserve your embrace.

Never forget the ultimate “soldier.” We usually think of Jesus as Savior, Judge, or Teacher; but he was also a soldier because he faced sin on our behalf. He defeated principalities, demons, and even Satan so that we would need not ourselves as we are unable to. Jesus defeated Satan on the cross. Jesus’s flesh died instead of ours. On another “tree,” Satan’s flesh was vicariously killed. Jesus’s blood did that!

In the last great battle, Jesus will lead the armies of Armageddon. Blood will flow profusely, but he will defeat the forces of the Antichrist on our behalf. Memorial Day as all days, should be in remembrance of Jesus for he too is our Soldier!

Some Christians fight alongside Jesus daily, not against him but with him. Many come to church alone. Perhaps Memorial Day is legitimately for those widows and widowers who suffer alone. Perhaps also for those whose spouses are spiritually dead but are still alive in the flesh. Not to undermine the veterans, but indeed, those who come to church alone are brave warriors as well. I have a friend whose spouse died about two years ago. She feels so alone, even in a crowd. Church is her refuge and God is her companion. She deserves honor as well. They are veterans in the war with principalities and freedom in Heaven is their reward. Not that they deserve Heaven, but that they need comfort.

Today take the time to thank and hug a veteran. They didn’t risk their lives for attention, and certainly not for appreciation, but to keep us all safe from harm; the same reason that Jesus died!

Hug those who are alone because daily they face tribulation without helpmates. Hug those with someone because inside they may be alone. Dead veterans can’t be hugged, but they can be remembered. Those veterans of war and tribulation are among you; hug them while they are alive.

Larry R. Herrin – Memorial Day 2019