Memorial Day and Giving Everything

Scripture. John 16:15

All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Today is Memorial Day.  Our nation is remembering those who gave their lives in the armed forces of our nation.  While sacrifice is always something that we recognize as honorable, the sacrifices of memorial day are most significant.  On this day we remember those who gave their lives. We remember those in the armed forces of our nation who, in this sense, gave everything for the benefit of all.

As a Christian citizen, I give thanks to God for all the benefits of this nation.  He has provided the freedom we often take for granted through the sacrifices of others.  In particular, we remember the men and women of our armed forces who died in armed conflicts defending our nation.  And, when I think of sacrifice, I am immediately drawn to remember the greatest sacrifice of all, namely God’s pattern of “giving everything” for us and our salvation.  The Triune God has demonstrated this perfect Love from the very beginning.

When God gave to His Son, He gave everything.  Jesus in speaking of our Heavenly Father, tells us “all the Father has is mine.”  With these simple words we get a glimpse into the selfless love of the Father for the Son.  He doesn’t withhold one thing, but gives them all to Jesus.  God the Father gave His Son Jesus everything.

When Jesus gives to you, He gives you everything.  In Jesus incarnation, He left behind all the glories of heaven and became man.  Perfect in faith and life, Jesus came to give us everything.  He offered Himself on the cross for the forgiveness of all our sins.  He rose from the dead, anticipating our resurrection to eternal life through faith in Him.  Through God the Holy Spirit we receive all the blessings of heaven through Jesus.  Indeed, all that the Father has given to the Son, Jesus now freely shares with His church through the Holy Spirit.  When Jesus gives to you he gives everything.

When God gave His Son, He gave you everything. When we think of everything that the God the Father has, we may be drawn to think of the vastness of the universe, or the riches of glory and power.  But, to get the best picture of all this glory and wealth, we must only remember Jesus.  Jesus is all the best of heaven, the focus of the Father’s Love, and His gift of salvation to you.  In receiving this great gift we are humbled, and rejoice.  For when God gave us His Son, He gave us everything.

Let Us Pray,

O Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I thank you for your profound and perfect gifts given for may salvation.  Help me to be enriched by your love, sustained in saving faith in Jesus, and encouraged in selfless love for others.  I thank you for the examples of sacrifice that I remember this day.  In your name I pray, AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.