Lest We Forget, It’s Another Memorial Day

Recently I received a fund appeal letter about the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. I didn’t know there was such a thing. But the correspondence touched something deep inside since my father served in that war, both in Europe and North Africa. He was wounded twice in combat, receiving two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star and other commendations.

My dad never spoke of his wartime memories – most veterans don’t. Contrary to what old war movies portrayed, emphasizing the camaraderie of fighting alongside fellow soldiers, war is a terrifying experience most wish they could forget. I remember Dad occasionally would wake up screaming due to nightmares in which battlefield images had resurfaced.

 

I never served in the military but have often said my father’s 22 years in the Army were enough time for us both. So, each Memorial Day I reflect not only on his service but also on the millions who have served and defended our nation, our Constitution, and our way of life through the centuries.

 

War has been a tragic constant throughout human history, and our nation was born at war. The Revolutionary War was the first of many wars in which the United States would engage. It was succeeded by the War of 1812, the Civil War, the Mexican-American War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and now conflicts in the Middle East.  

 

A display at the National Medal of Honor
Museum in Chattanooga, Tenn.

In all, more than 1.3 million people serving the U.S. armed forces have lost their lives in combat, with countless thousands of others suffering serious wounds physically, mentally and emotionally. We owe a huge debt to each of these individuals for what we commonly refer to as “the ultimate sacrifice.”

War is detestable, and most of us wish they all would cease. Sadly, the sinfulness and brokenness of humankind have not allowed that to occur. In Ezekiel 13:10 we read about God condemning false prophets, “Because they lead my people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace.” Strife, rather than peace, has been universal.

 

The biblical narrative does not whitewash human history, recounting how greed and the lust for power have kept various peoples at war. It does, however, promise a day when all that will end. “Come and see the works of the Lord, the desolations He has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear, He burns the shields with fire” (Psalm 46:8-9).

 

Nearing the end of His earthly ministry and just hours from betrayal that culminated in His crucifixion, Jesus Christ told His followers, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Jesus was primarily making reference to His own impending death, but the principle applies to anyone giving his or her life on behalf of others. This certainly applies to the many we remember on this Memorial Day.

 

Thankfully, my father survived the horrors of the battlefield, but many did not. Let’s pause for a few moments today in gratitude to those who died for the freedoms we now enjoy. Even more, let’s be thankful for the One who said, “I am the good shepherd…I lay down My life for the sheep” (John 10:14). Let us never forget. 

He Knows Your Name

The story is told of a fellow, let’s call him Joe, who had such an engaging, magnetic personality it seemed everyone was his friend. Everywhere he went, people would see him and excitedly call out, “Hi, Joe!” “How are you doing, Joe?”

One day Joe and several friends decided to tour some countries in Europe, and one of the places they chose to visit was Vatican City. On the day they arrived, the Pope was making a public appearance. The friends were standing among the throng of thousands in St. Peter’s Square waiting for the Pope to appear and address them. Suddenly uniformed men approached Joe, spoke with him briefly, and then led him away.

Joe’s friends looked at each other wondering what had happened, whether Joe was in some kind of trouble. A few minutes later the Pope appeared on the balcony accompanied by another man. A peasant in the crowd looked up, pointed, and said, “Hey, who’s that up there with Joe?”

One of the distinctives of sheep is they know their
shepherd and respond uniquely to his voice.

Silly story? Sure. But wouldn’t it be something to be known like that? To be instantly recognized and welcomed, whether by someone like the Pope, the President of the United States, a mega-wealthy businessperson like Bill Gates, Warren Buffett or Oprah Winfrey, or perhaps your favorite athlete or entertainer?

You go to a ball game and Lebron James spots you in the crowd, smiles and waves you down to the court. Or you’re standing alongside the red carpet prior to the Academy Awards, and Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock or Morgan Freeman points to you, strides over and gives you one of those big, longtime-no-see hugs. Your friends standing nearby can only let their jaws drop and stare. Wouldn’t that be something?

You’re probably thinking, “In your dreams!” But there’s something even better. Much better.

If you’re a Christ follower, the Bible declares He knows you – and as with Joe in the story above, He knows you by name. Jesus used the metaphor of sheep to describe His relationship with His followers:

“The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep…the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out…. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice…. I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (John 10:2-14).

Knowing the President personally, whether you’re in agreement politically or not, would be impressive, wouldn’t it? If you went to a concert by an iconic musician like James Taylor, Steve Wonder or Eric Clapton, and you received first-class treatment just because they knew you, that would be incredible, right?

Well, consider that God, the Creator of the universe knows you in that way. Even with the billions of people in the world, not to mention those who have died, He knows you – by name. Not only that, but the Scriptures state He did something unbelievable, unprecedented, for each of His children. After declaring, “I know my sheep and they know me,” Jesus adds, “just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:15).

Even if I knew the President personally, or a famous actor or athlete, none of them could claim they had given their life on my behalf. Jesus makes that startling, bold, even audacious claim – and the Bible teaches us that it’s true. It’s not a myth, fairy tale or allegory, but truth supported by the witness of history, as well as countless lives that have been transformed as a result.

In spite of our warts, our flaws, our sins, the Lord of all eternity knows us – and He’s not ashamed to admit it. Now that’s amazing. We might even call it…amazing grace.