As this morning dawned I began to reflect on this weekend and the very costly sacrifice of human blood and life through the history of our nation that affords me the freedoms I enjoy as a citizen of the United States of America! I think of the images still vivid in my mind from the movie, Saving Private Ryan, the thousands of men that sacrificed their lives in the invasion of Normandy that eventually led to the defeat of the evil reign of Adolph Hitler, I picture military cemetery at Arlington, VA that contains the bodies of untold thousands of men and women who gave their lives in many conflicts and wars throughout our history as a nation. I was able to wake this morning as a free man, able to choose to go and worship freely at my local church without fear of arrest, imprisonment or punishment. Thankful to the many men and women, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, spouses who gave up their sons, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives for this costly freedom that I enjoy today.
As I read 1 Corinthians 10:1-6 this morning, I also was stirred to remember the many sacrifices made and the ultimate sacrifice that was made for my spiritual and eternal freedom. I picture the Cross of Jesus, his bruised and broken body (Isaiah 53:4-12), his precious and pure blood, shed for the forgiveness of my sins (John 1:29; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:14)
1 Corinthians 10:1–10 (The Message): Remember our history, friends, and be warned. All our ancestors were led by the providential Cloud and taken miraculously through the Sea. They went through the waters, in a baptism like ours, as Moses led them from enslaving death to salvation life. They all ate and drank identical food and drink, meals provided daily by God. They drank from the Rock, God’s fountain for them that stayed with them wherever they were. And the Rock was Christ. But just experiencing God’s wonder and grace didn’t seem to mean much—most of them were defeated by temptation during the hard times in the desert, and God was not pleased.The same thing could happen to us. We must be on guard so that we never get caught up in wanting our own way as they did. And we must not turn our religion into a circus as they did—“First the people partied, then they threw a dance.” We must not be sexually promiscuous—they paid for that, remember, with 23,000 deaths in one day! We must never try to get Christ to serve us instead of us serving him; they tried it, and God launched an epidemic of poisonous snakes. We must be careful not to stir up discontent; discontent destroyed them.
Remember! Yes, remember this Memorial Day weekend the costly sacrifice of millions of men and women who have given their service and many their lives that we can still enjoy freedom from tyranny, oppression, and religious persecution in these United States of America.
But, also remember the greatest sacrifice of all time, Jesus Christ, who laid down His life on a cross, bore the sins of the world, including yours and mine, shed his pure and precious blood and died in our place, for our sin, that we might be washed, made clean and spotless, redeemed and righteous before our Holy God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit (Isaiah 1:18).
God’s people throughout time have had memory issues! Psalm 78 chronicles the mighty works of God throughout Old Testament history and how God’s people forgot, turned their eyes and hearts to idols.
Psalm 78:32, “In spite of all this, they sinned: despite his wonders, they did not believe.”
Paul writes to us, believers, followers of Jesus Christ reminding us of our ancient ancestors front row seat to God’s amazing work in delivering them from Egyptian slavery and death, opening a path through the sea, providing spiritual water a bread. Yet, they turned away and turned to idols, and sinned against their Creator and Deliverer. Paul warns, “Now these things took place as examples to us, that we might not desire evil as they did” (1 Corinthians 10:6).
As you remember this weekend take some time to be reflective, thankful, refocused and committed:
- Reflect on all that God has done to set you free physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Romans 8:2 (ESV): For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
- Give thanks for human sacrifice and divine sacrifice that you can enjoy temporal freedom and experience eternal freedom with Jesus. John 8:31–32 (ESV): If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
- Refocus on Jesus who purchased your freedom, who protects your freedom and will sustain your freedom from sin and death forever. Colossians 1:15–20 (ESV): He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
- Commit your whole self (body, mind, soul and spirit) anew to Jesus, to live for Him who died for you today, tomorrow and every day until he comes again or calls you home. 2 Corinthians 5:14–15 (ESV): For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
RESTORING HOPE 