"He died for all, that those who live should..."
By the time the Civil War ended in 1865, it would take the lives of over 600,000 men. During an early celebration of Memorial Day in May 1868, people decorated the graves of more than 200,000 Union and Confederate soldiers. It seems to be a natural gesture for people to honor those who've made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation.
War is hell. War causes many to die. The people who die are honored by the living. It's a story and a gesture as old as the history of man. If a person is willing to die so that others can live free, and if that person actually dies in their duty, that fallen one deserves honor and respect. It's a normal and natural gesture for all people groups. And that's what Memorial Day is all about. We honor those who died so that we can live free.
Christians embrace a concept that's similar to the idea behind Memorial Day. If we give honor to those who died for our physical and temporal well-being, how much more honor is due to the One who died for our spiritual and eternal well-being? And what more do you give to the One who died for your eternal well-being?
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." ~ Isaiah 53:5-6 NKJV
"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'" ~ John 1:29
"For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us." ~ 1 Corinthians 5:7b
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit." ~ 1 Peter 3:18
The just (put to death) for the unjust. The innocent dying for the guilty. This concept was revealed faintly in the Old Testament system of sacrifices, but it didn't become clear until the time of Christ. I especially love the directness of 2 Corinthians 5:21: "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
That's a fascinating truth my friend! Jesus became sin for me, so that I can become the righteousness of God in Him! "For He (God the Father) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin (the spotless Lamb of God) to be sin for us, (in order) that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (in Christ)." Amazing and Praise God!
I asked the question earlier: Besides honor, what more do you give to the One who died for your eternal well-being? You give everything! You give your all! You exchange your old life for His new life! So says 2 Corinthians 5:14-15:
"For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again." There it is, clear as a bell! "He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him..." We are to no longer live for ourselves, but for the One who died for us!
What do you give to the One who died for your eternal well-being? On Memorial Day, let's honor those soldiers who died for our physical and temporal well-being. It's the right thing to do. And while we're doing so, let's also remember to honor and live for the One who died for our spiritual and eternal well-being!
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." ~ Galatians 2:20
Grace, Peace and Jahspeed!