Daily Devotional For Monday, May 27, 2024

Today is Monday and Memorial Day. Jesus said this in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (ESV). Freedom is a gift and we should treasure it. For those who were willing to give their lives so we could have ours, we owe them more than just a backyard cook-out. These men and woman came home in a box and were buried in one. Their families stood around their grave at their memorial service and grieved as Taps was played. 

And what they fought and died for we still are fighting for today. America has enemies both without and within. There have been students on college campuses in the past few weeks shouting, “Death to America.” It is amazing to me that these students who relish the freedom to shout such trash would lose it if we did. If and when America falls, so will our freedom to speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion and freedom to be seen innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Today, let all of us take time to remember and be grateful to those who courageously paid the ultimate price for freedom — their lives — so that we could live ours. May the Lord Jesus Christ give us such courage today to make the same choice if necessary as they did. There is an incredible amount of love expressed for something bigger than yourself when you are willing to die “for your friends” as Jesus said above.

This day reminds us of another day in history over 2,000 years ago when our Friend, Jesus Christ, willingly gave His life as a sacrifice for us. Why? Because He loves us. So, when it comes to Memorial Day, saying to someone, “Happy Memorial Day” seems insulting to me. Maybe, we should consider saying, “I am so sorry for your loss.” 

I read one time that in 1884, when Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. was giving a Memorial Day speech, he ended his speech with these words:

“Our dead brothers still live for us, and bid us think of life, not death -- of life to which in their youth they lent the passion and joy of the spring. As I listen, the great chorus of life and joy begins again, and amid the awful orchestra of seen and unseen powers and destinies of good and evil our trumpets sound once more a note of daring, hope, and will” (Source: https://whatsoproudlywehail.org/curriculum/the-american-calendar/in-our-youth-our-hearts-were-touched-with-fire).

The American soldier who gave his or her life for U.S. citizens to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness won’t be telling us how to observe the holiday. But I believe that Holmes’ proposition to “think of life, not death” would honor the fallen soldier. Their sacrifice follows the example of Jesus Christ laying down His life for our freedom. It's selfless love for others – not so others can mourn forever, but live!

I call to your attention the words in Scripture found in 1 John 3:16, This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters” (NIV). The Passion Translation puts it this way: “This is how we have discovered love’s reality: Jesus sacrificed his life for us. Because of this great love, we should be willing to lay down our lives for one another.”

On a headstone in Ireland it says this: “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal.” We are blessed to live in America and in a free society. May we honor our American soldiers for the liberty we have in this country. May we also give thanks to Almighty God for the freedom we have to spend eternity with Him because of His gift of forgiveness through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Scripture To Meditate On: Romans 5:8, “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (ESV).

Prayer To Pray: “Dear Jesus, as I remember that today is Memorial Day, I do so out of deep gratitude to You in giving us men and woman who were willing and still are willing to die so that we in American can live freely. And as I remember this, I do not want to forget that You out of Your deep love for us and me, chose to die on a cross while I was still very much a wretched sinner. I thank You for such freedom civility and spiritually. As the Scripture says in John 8:34, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (ESV). I choose to remember that I am free all by Your hand. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”

I love you Southside!—Pastor Kelly