Memorial Day is one of those holidays that we celebrate as though it were created for our leisure. Because Memorial Day always abuts a weekend, it is a time when people go away for an extended getaway. Or they take their campers to the campground or their boats to the marina. But Memorial Day is so much more than that. It is a day when we remember those who gave their very lives to fight for the freedoms of this country and others. I pray that we would never forget to take pause and remember those who sacrificed it all. “By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” 1 John 3:16.

Americans have been fighting in wars for the freedom of US citizens for over three centuries. Our soldiers have sacrificed their lives right here on American soil in wars such as the American Revolutionary War. But they have also given their lives in battle on foreign soil, fighting for the rights of others in wars such as World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

The scriptures tell us, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13.

For a friend, someone may lay down His life. But the soldiers that we celebrate on Memorial Day were not laying down their lives for just friends. They were also fighting for strangers, sons, daughters, and future generations. They fought for you and me! But they were simply following an example that had been given between one and two millennia before them.

They were following the example of our Savior.

Romans 5:6-7 says (and I am paraphrasing here) that a person would rarely die for a righteous person, but they would be a little more willing to die for a good person. So, if a person would hesitate to die for a righteous and/or good person, who would die for the broken, hurting, and sinful?

JESUS!

Our Savior laid down His life for all mankind. Because the wages of sin is death, we were going to have to pay the penalty for our sin. He died that we would have freedom from sin. Jesus died so that we could live. He died to pay that sin debt that we couldn’t pay. “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. He was the perfect example for those who have since laid down their lives for the freedom of this country and others.

We should never forget the sacrifices made by those who laid down their lives for us and our freedoms. But we MUST never forget the one who was the example. We MUST never forget what Jesus has done for us.

This Memorial Day, I pray that we would take pause and remember those who gave their lives, so that we could enjoy the freedoms that we have today. But I also pray that we would pause, in prayer, and thank our Savior for being the greatest sacrifice; for giving His life for ours.

Father God, forgive us for our lack of reverence for those whom you gifted with the ability to be warriors for freedom. Forgive us for lacking reverence for our Savior, and the sacrifices that He made. Lord, you died that we might live. Let us never forget, even for a moment, what you have done for us. Help us to live for — and glorify — You with our lives. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20. We pray this in your precious and Holy name, Jesus.

If you do not know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior and have had no real understanding of what Jesus has done for you on the cross, I pray that you would go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) and pray the prayer that is outlined there. He died for all mankind… including you. He wants to forgive your sins and have a personal relationship with you. Please pray that prayer, and once you do, reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com and let me know. I’d love to be in prayer with — and for — you. I promise that this prayer is the most important decision you will ever make.

And please, never forget what Jesus has done for us.

Luv Ya!