It is the VETRAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the VETRAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the VETRAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the VETRAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the VETRAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the VETRAN, not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the VETRAN who salutes the Flag,
It is the VETRAN who serves under the Flag.
It is the VETRAN who rests under the Flag.
(Adapted from the Sermon Central message Memorial Day Service by Richard Horn)
As we celebrate Memorial Day, it is far more than just a day that we get off from work. It is more than just a day that we break out our flags and feel patriotic. It is more than a time for parades and cookouts.
Memorial Day is set aside as a time to remember those who have gone before us. It is set aside to remember the sacrifices of others that have brought us to where we are in life. It is to remember that each day we are building a legacy for others to follow behind. The ultimate goal of Memorial Day is to remember.
As Christians, we follow the legacy of Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. What is it that we are to remember about what Jesus has done for us? What is that we should have our focus on during this celebration of Memorial Day? If you have your Bibles please open them to Ephesians 2:11-22
11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called " Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands - 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. Ephesians 2:11-16
Verse 11
Paul specifically focuses on the Gentile believers and that they were in the flesh. He is pointing out that the Gentiles were given the opportunity to come to Christ just the Jews were. God was working to bring the Jews and the Gentiles together in Christ. There would no longer be separation between them because God saw all people the same in Christ. The church needed to embrace this new unity and focus on their common faith in Jesus as the bond that brought them together.
The problem is that many Jews believed that they were right with God merely by being Jewish. Many had the false assumption that they had a relationship with God by birthright. Israel represented God’s chosen people and had a unique position in the world. In the Old Testament, Jews believed that they had a spiritual monopoly with God and that they were the only who could be righteous.
Paul makes it clear that both the Jew and the Gentile needed to come to Christ because of spiritual need. All people were in need of the spiritual renewal that only Jesus could give. Paul calls the Gentiles to remember their former lives when they were far from God. The word here for remember means more than just having a memory. It means to be moved to action on the basis of the memory.
Verse 12
Gentiles were separate from Christ
The Gentiles were not familiar with the Jewish Messiah and the means that would save the world from sin. Due to this lack of knowledge, they were considered separate from the message of the Messiah and the promise of His coming.
Gentiles were not citizens of Israel
The term Gentile was used for anyone who was not born of Jewish descent. Those who were not part of the nation of Israel were not able to join the nation. There was the opportunity for non-Jewish people to convert to the faith and join the Jewish people but they would never be citizens.
Gentiles were foreign to the promises of God
The Israelites were the chosen people of God and were given a special place in the world. God intended for Israel to be His people to spread His message to the world but instead they saw being chosen as an exclusive opportunity. Israel was given the promises and the covenants with God. They were the people that had the relationship with God.
Gentiles were without hope
The Gentiles had no hope of connecting with the one True God. There was no way for them to have hope in the God of Israel because they were far away from Him. They were not able to be a part of the divine promises and therefore could not share in that hope.
Gentiles were without God
The Gentiles had many different gods but they could not have a relationship with the one True God. They were focused on false gods, false worship and false hope. The only thing that they had was the world and it gave them no hope.
Verse 13
Paul opens the verse with two incredibly powerful words: but now. He previously stated all of the reasons that the Gentiles were without hope and without connection to God. All of that has changed in the power of Christ. Paul contrasts the previous life with the new life that exists in Christ. He also adds the name Jesus to the title Christ to make an important reality clear. Jesus came not only to be the Messiah for Israel but also to be the savior of the world. Jesus did not just come for the Jews but also for the Gentiles. Jesus, who is the Christ, came to save the whole world.
The Gentiles were once far away from God. They were away from the presence and the promises of the one true God. But now, they were brought near because of the saving power of Jesus Christ. Those who were far away were brought near and included in the promises of God.
Those who were once far away are brought near. Those who were strangers are now welcomed as brothers and sisters. Those who were without hope now have eternal hope in Jesus.
Verse 14
Jesus came to bring peace for the Jews and the Gentiles. The peace that Jesus offers is not of this world but instead is spiritual. The peace comes to us as individuals and changes our inner being. If both Jews and Gentiles would accept the peace in Christ, there would be no more separation. The moment we accept the peace of Jesus, we are united with our fellow believers.
Peace with Christ
Being redeemed from the power and penalty of sin gives us peace with Christ. There is no longer a sense of hostility between us and God. This peace flows in a state of personal forgiveness. Many are anxious because they have not experienced peace with God. Jesus died to bring peace.
Peace from Christ
Christ gives a personal peace that is simply a gift. This comes at certain times in life to calm our spirits and helps us to see clearly. Often this peace is situational and comes at specific times of need. This peace is an extra outpouring of Christ’s calm assurance on our lives.
Peace of Christ
This is the very peace of Christ Himself. This peace is an inner character quality of Christ. There is never a time when Christ us not at peace. It is a part of who He is and that will never change. Paul speaks here of an inner change that can only happen through the work of the Holy Spirit. Christ’s desire is not that we experience peace with Him or even peace from Him periodically. Christ’s desire is that His divine peace becomes part of our character. Christ’s personal peace changes us from the inside out.
We are to remember that we were once separated from God (v. 11-12)
We are to remember that Jesus came to remove the separation (v. 13)
We are to remember that Jesus broke down every barrier between us and God (v. 14)
We are to remember that we have been united through Christ (v. 15-16)
Today, we gather to remember what Jesus has done for us. We celebrate with the Lord’s Supper in an act of remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus to bring us salvation. We come to the table of the Lord to remember the blessings that we have been given through the cross and the empty tomb.
