The Sacrifices that Honor the Sacrifice
by Mark Hayes
Memorial Day provides a time to pause and think about what it took for me to have the freedom to worship at my church without fear and to work for a Christian organization. Among the many freedoms we enjoy in this country, freedom of worship is one I especially value. The ability to provide God’s Word to thousands of aging seniors and individuals with special needs for 123 years is incredibly special.
Memorial Day is the time we remember the soldiers who protected our freedom with their lives. It is important to remember those servants to our nation, even if we didn’t know them. But if we do know a friend or family member who gave his or her life for us to have what we have, then the memory is far more significant and touching.
Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. We hear that phrase spoken about Mary twice in Luke Chapter 2 as she thought about Jesus. The first time was after the shepherds came to see Jesus at His birth. The second time was when they were frantically searching for Jesus when He was a boy and they found Him talking with the teachers in the temple. Mary experienced the life of the Son of God in the most profound way.
Although never mentioned in Scriptures, I can imagine all the pondering Mary did after witnessing His death and resurrection. The pain of seeing her child go through torture and death is unthinkable. The joy and wonder of seeing Him alive again is spectacular. As she thought through who Jesus is and what He came to do, she was pondering the greatest sacrifice of all time for the greatest freedom of all time. We are free from our mistakes, our brokenness, and our past because Jesus paid the ultimate price to give us peace and acceptance.
The sacrifices of our military allow us the freedom to honor the sacrifice of Jesus. Thank you, Jesus, for our ultimate freedom. Thank you, soldiers for the protecting the right to learn about Jesus and celebrate Him.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, without your sacrifice for us, we would have no hope and no future. You have given us forgiveness and life and blessed us with freedom in this country to share your love and to worship you publicly. Thank you for soldiers who have given their lives to protect others. Thank you for the freedom it provides us to serve you better. Please provide your protection for those who are currently serving in our nation’s military. Help us all to use the liberty you have granted us to honor you.