No Greater Love

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Memorial Day is the day we often pause to remember the dead, dead loved ones, and particularly those who died in battle defending our country and our freedoms.

Often, we don't, as Americans, seem to appreciate those who have sacrificed life and limb in the service of our country. I remember, for instance, many who served in Viet Nam were not appreciated because the war went sour. It didn't have the same feel as did WW2, where the good guys (Americans) got rid of the bad guys (Nazis).

Whether or not you agree with the war in Iraq, you are a citizen of this country, and this country has a military whose purpose is to defend our country. When those persons go out to fight a war, for whatever specific reason, right or wrong, they are doing it out of duty to you.

Jesus said there is no greater expression of love than to lay down your life for someone else. We all applaud courage, when someone risks their life to save another: like a lifeguard, or a fireman, or a policeman. To give up your life so that another can live is the height of heroism and sacrificial love. You can't do any more than that.

Jesus also laid down his life for the whole world. No one else could do it, actually. I might lay down my life for you, but I could never lay down my life for everyone. Only Jesus was qualified to do that, because he alone was the Lamb of God.

Servicemen and women lay down their lives every day in Iraq for us. It is an act of love for their country. We should remember and appreciate them as if we were there with them. And pray for those who are fighting in foreign theaters, because their mission is our mission, as a nation.

Heavenly Father, we appreciate our military men and women who are stationed around the world in highly dangerous and volatile situations. Be with them, strengthen them, help them, and preserve them, Lord. And guide our leaders in this country to make sound and wise decisions concerning these conflicts and the life and limb of our servicepeople. In Jesus' name, amen.