Memorial Day - A Life Worth Giving
Posted: Saturday, May 23, 2009
by Mark Parsec
Wordcasters
It's Memorial day; when we recognize the millions of men and women from the armed services who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. These brave individuals paid for the price of freedom, not just their blood, sweat and tears, but with their very lives.
Despite popular opinion, the best things in life aren't free. The best things in life come at a great, great price. And so to secure our freedoms many brave men and women laid down their lives.
To illustrate this, I'd like to bring your attention to a scene out of the Star Trek motion picture… The Wrath of Khan. Those of you who are Star Trek fans might remember the line…
Spock had entered a radiation-filled section of the U.S.S. Enterprise, even though to do so meant certain death. It was the only way to bring the main engines back online in time to save the lives of his shipmates. Fighting the effects of the deadly radiation Spock gasps, "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."
Those who gave their lives for this country lived out this principle to the fullest because they understood that sometimes there are needs that are greater than our own.
Self sacrificing parents understand this principle. They will go without sleep, without food, without rest… all for their children's welfare. And we have all heard of stories where a parent has sacrificed their life to rescue their child from certain death.
Jesus spoke about this type of self sacrifice in John 15:13 when he said: There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.
As we recognize Memorial Day and remember those who have died in war and the principles for which they died, I would ask that we remember others… those who have died for Christ. For, we are engaged in a great spiritual war that rages around the globe. It is estimated that those who oppose the gospel of Jesus Christ have slain 70 million Christians since the time of Christ.If you know much about Christian history or have even read through the Book of Acts, then you are aware that Christians have shed their blood, spent time in prison and died for the cause of Christ. The truth is, in our day and age there are Christians suffering and dying like this throughout the world. Current estimates are that 176,000 Christians are martyred every year!
That is the equivalent of all of the people in three cities the size of my home town being executed every year!
It is a war! In some countries like India, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and China, a person is forbidden to read a Bible, attend a Christian service, or pray in the name of Jesus. Failure to abide by the law can result in imprisonment and death.
Jesus never promised us believers a rose garden. Peace yes, in our hearts and minds. But, enmity with the world. In fact, in Matthew 10:34-35 Jesus said, 34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law';
And when speaking about the suffering that believers had received because of their faith the author of the Book of Hebrews tells us:When speaking about things that awaited Christians in the future Jesus said in Matthew 24:9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake.
Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated-the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith... (Heb 11:35-39)
Today… 482 Christians will lose their lives around the world because of their faith in Jesus Christ, tomorrow another 482 shall die. And so shall pass the days of another year. But, who notices the death of untold Christians? Who remembers their anguish, their sacrafice, their suffering?
As we remember those who laid down their lives for our country… let us remember those who have laid down their lives for Christ. Let us remember those who continue to die because they believe in the same Lord and Savior that we do. Let us remember them and not forget them, for the day that we forget what our brothers and sisters have sacrificed is the day we have sacrificed our faith.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Hi Mark!Does this mean I don't have to go hear today's message at church? Hehe. Good message.Love you,MichelleHi Michelle!Thanks for the comments. You are the greatest!Love ya!Mark
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