East End

4-27-08

Text: John 15:13

During our trip to Washington this past week Diana and I visited the Arlington National Cemetery. I have been there several times myself, but this was the first time for Diana. We visited the well known sites of President John F. Kennedy and his family’s grave site with the eternal flame, Robert Kennedy’s grave, and the tomb of the unknown soldiers. We watched a changing of the guard and wreath laying ceremony at the tomb of the unknown soldiers. We also saw that many thousands of final resting places for some of our country’s finest men and women. But there was something different that happened while we were there. There was a funeral being conducted for a member of the United States Air Force. I remember hearing the Air Force band playing and seeing men and women in uniform marching in front of the horse drawn carriage that had laid on top of it the casket draped in an American flag. We also saw the family coming along behind the casket going to where they would lay this young man’s body to rest. Diana and I both agreed that was the most sobering and solemn site we had ever seen. This devotional is not about the war in Iraq or any other war. This is about remembering that Jesus laid His life down willingly for all men. This member of the Air Force joined the military knowing that war was always possible and that he may have to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect a country and his family whom he probably loved dearly. Jesus knew why He came to this earth. He knew that His time on earth was drawing to a close. He even knew who would betray Him and that ultimately He would pay the ultimate sacrifice for all men even though unfortunately not all men will believe in Him. Yet despite all of that as the Bible says, “He was obedient even to the point of death, death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). This soldier laid down his life so that we as a country could go on with our life living in freedom which has been paid for by men and women who also laid down their life and even those who are still serving. Jesus laid down His life so that we could receive eternal life. Notice what John 15:13 says in the beginning, “Greater love has no one….” The highest form of love is a sacrificial love. A love in which you know what may lie ahead of you, the sacrifices that you will be called on to make and despite all of that you still give your love. A love that says I will willingly lay down my life so that you may live. That is the love that Jesus showed us on the cross and continues to show us today. Jesus is not asking you to literally lay down your life for Him, rather He is asking you to turn over total control of your life to Him. Jesus has already shown us how much He loves us, what are you willing to do to show Jesus that you love Him? May we always remember and be thankful for the sacrifice all of our military men and women have made, and may God give comfort and peace to those families who have had a loved one make the ultimate sacrifice. May God bless and protect our men and women in service. And may we always remember the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf!