Daily Devotional

-May 31, 2021-

Good morning, happy Monday, Happy Memorial Day,

-The Ultimate Price Is Giving One’s Life-

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for His friends.”

(John 15:16).

Today is Memorial Day, a day we as a country remember those who gave their lives in the service of our country. Many died in wartime, others in peacetime, some in accidents, others in friendly fire incidents. They all wore the uniform of the United States, and they all paid the ultimate price. Each one gave every ounce of devotion to protect our freedom.

President Abraham Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address on November 18, 1863, with the Civil War still raging. He said, “But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate— we can not consecrate— we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but we can never forget what they did here. It is for the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us— that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain— that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

We cannot personally thank those who have died for our country, but we can appreciate what they did for us, and remember them. Most, but not all, are buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. The first Memorial Day took place on May 30, 1868 (originally known as Decoration Day) At Arlington National Cemetery. The national observance of Memorial Day still takes place there today, with the placing of a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the decoration of each grave with a small American flag. In 1971, federal law changed the observance of the holiday to the last Monday in May and extended it to include all those who died in American wars. People pay tribute not only with flowers but also with speeches and parades.

As I am writing these words today, our President Joe Biden has just laid the wreath at Arlington National Cemetery in the annual tribute to those who died for us. It is tradition, but it is much more, it is appreciation.

Jesus Christ our Savior laid His life for us for on the cross. He didn’t just die for Jews, He died for everyone. He called His disciples His friends. He said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down His life for His friends.” Earlier in John 10:17-18, He said, “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I received from My Father.”

Jesus set the example of demonstrating His love on the cross. 1 John 3:16 says, “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.” As a result, there have been so many soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in battle to save their fellow soldiers; and there have been so many Christians who laid down their lives for Christ and their fellow believers.

Today is a solemn day, a cherished day, an honored day. Yes, we have fun, with picnics, barbecues, and other activities, but let us never forget those who died to make it all possible. Let us remember above all the price Jesus paid for us all. For us as believers, we remember His death and resurrection every Sunday until He comes. Happy Memorial Day!

In His grace,

Dean