By Pastor Bob DeKlavon
This Memorial Day is quite different from any other.
Parades are canceled or have been scaled back.
Gatherings at memorials have been closed to the public.
Yet, we still take time to pause and remember—those who sacrificed their lives for us.
Over the last decades, I have said the same thing over and over related to that sacrifice.
Those who died while serving America died to protect this country and its allies.
No soldier went to war to die for their enemy.
In fact, that thought just seems somewhat ludicrous, doesn’t it?
But here is the thought that hits me—that is exactly what Jesus did for us.
Having been at Faith for any length of time then you have heard me talk about Romans 5:10.
To paraphrase, Paul writes:
“If while we were enemies—we were made right with God.
How much more will we be saved by His life?”
This is found in a section where non-Christians are described as:
Helpless, ungodly, sinners, enemies.
Now—I have been a Christian for a long time.
It is hard sometimes to picture myself as God’s enemy.
After all, even before I became a believer, I was a relatively ‘nice guy.’
I never murdered anyone {in the sense we normally would think}.
I did not rob stores or commit egregious sins {from my perspective}.
Yet, based on the standards of God’s perfection—I was an enemy of God.
Now—here is the ‘other side’ of this equation that makes me pause.
God did not require anything of me for me to be right with Him.
Easily, could He not have demanded we go to church some, and give some, and serve some?
But…He did not.
And in that great exchange referred to in 2 Corinthians 5:21…here is what happened:
He took all the features of us as enemies and put it on Himself.
In return, He made us friends…and…even more…part of His family.
So, today, no matter how you remember the sacrifices made for our freedom:
Remember the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Who willingly laid down His life for His enemies.