Gtcotr/052426
This is Memorial Day Weekend in the United States. Memorial Day encourages all Americans to remember the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who gave their lives in defense of our nation. Since 1775, our best and our brightest men and women have been donning the uniform, saluting the flag, and standing on the front lines of conflicts and wars both on our soil and abroad fighting for justice and freedom. Without the sacrifice of these fallen heroes, our way of life would not exist.
History has a way of repeating itself and life imitates truth. The Bible doesn’t make sense because we are Christians … rather, we are Christians because the Bible makes sense. Truths such as war, sacrifice, justice, and freedom, along with standing up for what you believe are not of human origin. We have a Heavenly Father who has instilled His values and His virtues in each one of us. Sacrifice is a duty we were born to and created for. Knowing where, when, and how we are to lay down our lives is the challenge faced by all.
· The sacrifice of a parent for their own children.
· The sacrifice of a teacher for their students.
· The sacrifice of a first responder for their community.
· We all sacrifice to protect our own.
· Jesus, however, gave His life for sinners and the ungodly.
As Believers in Jesus Christ, we do not ask if we should give. The only questions are how much, where, and when. King David said:
2 Samuel 24:22b “nor will I offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God with that which costs me nothing.”
Sacrifice is expected to cost something. Unfortunately the cost can often be our heart. Dreams and desires find a home in our heart. Our hopes grow, as their should, and many come to life and we get to enjoy them for years. Yet some desires never come to pass in this life, and we are left with an empty hole in our heart where it seems for a while, nothing else will ever grow. King David faced just such a time as this.
Let’s look at the account of the death of David’s best friend, Johnathan, who sacrificed his life for a noble and worthy cause. My hope today is that we can both honor the sacrifice and also see beyond sacrifice to the opportunities it afforded others for which the sacrifice was intended.
When we read about sacrifices in the Bible they all have the same goal and outcome. Something of value is offered in such a way that it will be accepted as a payment for the past and positioning for the future. Sacrifices are meant to close one door while opening another. The blood of bulls and goats, for example, dealt with sins of the past and offered an opportunity to walk into the future free from guilt.
The blood of Jesus did the very same thing, only in a much greater and eternal way. Jesus’ sacrifice paid for the past and gave us a chance to have a sinless future. The perfect sacrifice of Christ closed the door on death and opened a door to eternal life for all who would believe and received Him and His sacrifice.
His sacrifice did not just close a door … it did not just end a sad thing … it was more than just His death. Sacrifices are meant to offer the chance of a better future. It may cost us our lives so that others can live. War is hell and people die. Hopefully, their death will be remembered by those who continue to benefit from their sacrifice.
May we never forget!
2 Samuel 1 NLT
As we review the account of this fierce battle at Mount Gilboa where King Saul and his son Jonathan were fighting the Philistines, we note Johnathan, although at odds with his father Saul, was nonetheless standing shoulder to shoulder alongside him in this fight. Saul was David’s king and Johnathan was David’s best friend. Their relationships had been stressed and strained, but their covenant and their hearts were still intact.
It was hard to imagine; both Saul and Johnathan were killed in this battle. When David heard the news: (Note: Read with commentary)
2 Samuel 1
17 ¶ Then David composed a funeral song for Saul and Jonathan,
18 and he commanded that it be taught to the people of Judah. It is known as the Song of the Bow, and it is recorded in The Book of Jashar.
19 Your pride and joy, O Israel, lies dead on the hills! Oh, how the mighty heroes have fallen!
20 Don’t announce the news in Gath, don’t proclaim it in the streets of Ashkelon, or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice and the pagans will laugh in triumph.
21 O mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain upon you, nor fruitful fields producing offerings of grain. For there the shield of the mighty heroes was defiled; the shield of Saul will no longer be anointed with oil.
22 The bow of Jonathan was powerful, and the sword of Saul did its mighty work. They shed the blood of their enemies and pierced the bodies of mighty heroes.
23 How beloved and gracious were Saul and Jonathan! They were together in life and in death. They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.
24 O women of Israel, weep for Saul, for he dressed you in luxurious scarlet clothing, in garments decorated with gold.
25 Oh, how the mighty heroes have fallen in battle! Jonathan lies dead on the hills.
26 How I weep for you, my brother Jonathan! Oh, how much I loved you! And your love for me was deep, deeper than the love of women!
27 Oh, how the mighty heroes have fallen! Stripped of their weapons, they lie dead.
2 Samuel 2
1 ¶ After this, David asked the LORD, “Should I move back to one of the towns of Judah?” “Yes,” the LORD replied. Then David asked, “Which town should I go to?” “To Hebron,” the LORD answered.
“Oh, how the mighty have fallen … Lord, what should I do now?”
After the sacrifices, after the shock and the pain of loss, after the unthinkable has happened … is there anything beyond? Yes! God always has a plan beyond the sacrifice.
Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Not only do we remember the ultimate sacrifice many made so that others can experience the peace and safety of living in a free and just America, but we also realize their sacrifice made a difference in our lives.
· The freedom to speak and address our grievances in the public square;
· The freedom to worship our God according to our convictions;
· The freedom of the press;
· The freedom to pursue life, liberty, and happiness;
· The freedom to be judged by a fair and impartial jury in a time and manner prescribed by law;
· The freedom from unlawful search and seizures;
· The freedom to vote for the candidate of our choice …
All of these are the result of others laying down their lives to give someone else a chance.
I will never forget those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nations’ decided best interests.
And, I will never forget the perfect sacrifice made for my soul by my Lord and Savior Jesus. He did it so that I could have life and have it more abundantly.
Have you received the sacrifice of Christ as your personal gift from God yet? If not, why not? He did it for you … pray and receive Him now.
