Our church put together a tribute Sunday honoring those who gave their lives for our freedom. The faces came into view on the screen, each one accompanied by the date on which he made the great sacrifice, and then faded away. As one particular picture appeared, there was a murmur in the congregation. His date was  May 18, 2010 — the most recent loss. I wondered why we had more of an emotional response to this sacrifice than to those who gave their lives two years ago, or in Vietnam, or in WWII? Did the fact that they died years ago make their deaths less significant?

Have we done the same thing with Jesus Christ and the greatest sacrifice ever? His death bought our eternal freedom — if we accept it. As much as we are indebted to our military men and women who have given their lives to defend us, shouldn’t we be even more grateful to the One who gave His life to define us – as new creatures, no longer enslaved to sin?  It is His sacrifice that enables us to look with hope to the day when we’ll be reunited in heaven with all believers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our earthly freedoms.

Let us be sure to give those who sacrificed so much for us the honor due them. Military men and women we should remember with our gratitude and love. Jesus Christ we should remember with our gratitude and lives.  Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Have a blessed Memorial Day as we remember together.