Memorial Day is set aside to remember those who have fallen in our nation’s wars.  Sadly, the day will pass and most of us will be so caught up in picnics, family gatherings, or outdoor projects that we won’t even give much thought to the real meaning of the day.  That’s too bad, because remembering does many things.  It brings me back to the reality of what actually happened.  It also encourages me to see the dedication of those who fought and died.  Remembering stirs within me a sense of gratitude and appreciation, and it strengthens my resolve to do my part in serving God, country and others.  In the last 100 years over 600,000 men and women have died in service to our country.

When I think of Memorial day I also want to stop and recall what Jesus did for us.  The Bible tells us in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”  Before Jesus’ death on the cross, He was speaking to His disciples and told them of His great love for them.  He willingly laid down His life for others.  We understand that Jesus didn’t just die for His friends, but also for His enemies, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” Romans 5:8, 10.  When we were undeserving of salvation and forgiveness Jesus still went to the cross and died in our place.  What a LOVE!

On this Memorial Day weekend, let us remember the brave men and women of our armed forces who gave their lives in service to this country and its citizens.  Memorial Day was once called “Decoration Day,” a day in which families would go and decorate graves, yards, and businesses in honor and in remembrance of those who died.  Today we enjoy the physical and material freedoms and liberty afforded to us by the sacrifice of others.  More importantly, we can experience spiritual freedom and forgiveness of sins because of the great love and sacrifice of Jesus! If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. – John 8:36