Memorial Day

First, I apologize. This should have been yesterday, but we were traveling.

As we enter the Memorial Day weekend, it brings to mind the legacy of family members on my wife’s and my sides of the family and all of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Pastor Andy Anderson is a vet and a medical professional who served during the Vietnam conflict. He penned a devotional where he lists some of those he will be remembering this weekend, but also the One who paid it all:

There is One other I also want to remember above all else. And that is the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. People today don’t even want to mention His name, yet whether they like Him or not, doesn’t change the fact that in the time of great spiritual warfare, He met the challenge. He gave His life for the sake of others including you and me. We are to remember Him above all, because the greatest act of mercy and love are attributed to Him. On the day before He was to be crucified, He said to His disciples: “When the hour came, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. Then He said to them, ‘I have fervently desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’ Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. For I tell you, from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. And He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘This is My body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me. In the same way He also took the cup after Supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant established by My blood; it is shed for you.” Luke 22:14-20 So it’s okay to use this Monday to enjoy yourselves, for it is a special day and given for the sake of remembering. It is a day to spend with others, with family and friends, so that you can all remember those who have paid the price so that we can indeed celebrate. This freedom that we take so much for granted was bought with blood and sacrifice, and the greatest sacrifice was the one bought by Jesus for you and me to have freedom in Him and so that we can be with Him forever. So here’s to you my friends, I love you. Here’s to You Jesus! I love You, and I remember what you did for me. Thank You for dying for me, so that I, through You, may live in eternity. “Greater love hath no man than to give his life for a friend.”