Memorial Day

 

When the remains of a fallen soldier arrive from overseas, a dignified transfer of the body takes place — usually — at Dover Air Force Base, the primary port mortuary for U.S. military personnel killed in action. Perhaps you’ve seen a ceremony or two on television. It is a tearful and tragic event, a solemn and choreographed moment undertaken by military carry teams who transfer flag-draped caskets from planes to awaiting families.

You may remember, for example, when the bodies of three U.S. service members who were killed in a drone attack in Jordan about 15 months ago were received at Dover Air Force Base with military honors. President Biden attended the ceremony, reflecting the ongoing tradition of dignified transfers to help provide meaning and closure to grieving families.

If you have served in the military or have had family members in the service, you can understand how gut-wrenching these ceremonies can be. I had a close high school classmate who, shortly after graduation, was shipped to Vietnam. His name is now etched in the marble wall of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., along with the names of more than 58,000 other service personnel who died in that war. Tomorrow is Memorial Day. We will pause to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to their country.

Their sacrifice reminds us of the high cost of freedom and reflects a principle that lies at the heart of the Christian faith: sacrificial love. Just as these brave individuals set aside their own safety to serve a greater good, Christ laid down his life on the cross so that we might experience freedom — freedom from sin, fear, and death (Romans 5:8).

―Timothy Merrill

[1 Corinthians 13:8] Love never fails. Love is one of the most loosely used words in the English language. This creates a lot of confusion about what true love really is. Most people think of love as a strong, warm feeling of affection for someone or something. Certainly, there is a strong emotional aspect to love. In the Bible, love is not just something one feels, it is the decision of the will to help others, even if one must sacrifice one’s self to do so. That’s how God and Christ love us and that’s how we should love others.

(1 John 3:16-18) “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or tongue, but in deed and in truth.” So, it is not enough to say, “I love you” (although we certainly should say that to our loved ones). We must back those words up with genuine, loving actions.

As we reflect on the sacrifice of these soldiers, we remember that death is not the final word for those who belong to Christ. Memorial Day is not just a day of mourning; it is also a day to celebrate hope — the twin hope that first, light does shine in the darkness, and second, that love is stronger than death.

Prayer: Compassionate God, on this Memorial Day, we thank you for the men and women who gave their lives for the sake of freedom. We honor their courage and remember their sacrifice with gratitude. Help us to follow their example by living lives of service and love. We also thank you for the ultimate sacrifice of your Son, Jesus Christ, who gave his life so that we might live. May his resurrection fill our hearts with hope, even in times of loss. Amen. Are you willing to give your life for God and country?