Today, we recognize those that paid the ultimate price, giving their lives for our country. Memorial Day is a day to remember the loss of life for our country and freedom. As a combat veteran friend of mine points out, there is no such thing as wishing anyone a “Happy Memorial Day.” Today is not a celebration day for veterans and families of those lost. Thank you to the service men, women, as well as their families, that have paid the ultimate price through the loss of their life or that of a loved one.
Carrying on the theme of sacrifice, the Bible chronicles the life of Jesus in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. We follow Jesus’ humble birth to his brutal death. Our God loved us so much, He sent His only Son to earth to model and espouse true devotion and faith to our Father. Jesus was so many things in His short life on earth.
Jesus showed empathy. He witnessed to the worst of the worst, those who many did not deem worthy of salvation. Jesus spent time with and utilized thieves, prostitutes, and murderers to spread the Gospel. He preached the Gospel to and saved the forgotten and demonstrated for us that His love has no boundaries.
Jesus modeled forgiveness. He was hated and loathed by many during His time on earth. He was despised for His teachings, the miracles He performed, and His claims to be God’s Son. Still, He did not resent or hate those that hated Him. He still prayed for, forgave, and died for the people who murdered Him.
Jesus showed us love. Jesus said “I am the shepherd,” using the example of His people being like sheep. A shepherd protects all of his sheep equally and will leave his flock to find even just one lost sheep. He wants everyone in His creation to follow Him, and believe in Him, but when we stray, the Bible tells us in Matthew 18:10-14 that Jesus will still seek us out wanting a relationship with us. Jesus guards his flock and He is love.
Revelations is a complex book of the Bible that speaks about the “end of time.” Not the end of the world, but the end of the world as it exists today. Christ will come again to save the world from sin and death and take His followers to Heaven. The description of the “end,” is known to be chronicled in the the scroll with seven seals, prophesied to the prophets Ezekial and Daniel, which will outline how the world will “end.” The Bible tells us when the “end” comes, those that know Jesus will ascend to Heaven and spend eternity with Him. Those that do not, unfortunately, will spend eternity in Hades (hell).
Revelations 5:5 tells us “But one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.’” Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. John writes in Revelations that the only individual capable of revealing God’s plan is Jesus. Jesus saved us with His death and resurrection and He will save us again when He removes the seven seals of the scroll and make known God’s plan.
We can be thankful that our God sent a perfect person to be the perfect Savior. Our God seeks a relationship with us, and it is our choice to love Him. Our God does not force devotion and love to Him but gives us the free will to believe. I encourage you to spend time reading about Jesus and His perfect life in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John to discover why Jesus is the perfect “I am.”
