In Jesus Holy Name May 27, 2018
Memorial Day Redeemer
"Remember, Don't Forget"
At Gettysburg, Lincoln said it: "The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here... It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain." In one of the most profound declarations to which the English language has been applied, Lincoln said to his fellow countrymen: "Remember, don't forget."
Memorial Day services are conducted around the nation this week end. The bugler will play Taps. The flag will be on display. Men and women are wearing uniforms which had noticeably shrunk since they had been worn in service. The Color Guard shoots their volleys to honor their fallen comrades. The children scramble for the brass casings which they keep as a memento of the day. A flag is folded and handed to the family. It is an incredibly moving moment.
On one of our vacations Colleen and I visited the American cemetery at Normandy, France, which overlooks Omaha Beach. We walked through the cemetery. White crosses, row upon measured row. Five star Jewish markers were scattered through the field of green. The names of the fallen, June 6th, June 7th, June 8th…3000 names. Some white crosses had the simple words, “Known Only to God”. It was an emotionally moving experience.
It is a sad thing when people forget the important sacrifice that many men and women gave, as Lincoln would say…. “the last full measure.” War remains an admission that civilization's veneer is paper thin. War is an admittance that nations can still be swept away by a charismatic leader whose thoughts are dark and his heart still darker.
War remains because some have an unshakeable lust for power, a desire to dominate others whom they consider insignificant, and inconsequential. War remains as an acknowledgment that in the human heart and mind and soul there is a monstrous a great evil which sweeps aside all which ought to be good and honorable and peace loving in the human race.
If we forget long enough, we eventually end up convincing ourselves that the freedoms we enjoy, the blessings we have are a common thing, a totally natural thing, a thing far removed from the blood which was shed by someone else as an investment in us and for our future. Most of all we forget that there are some things, not many, but a few things which are so wrong, so evil, so horrible that it is worth a man's life to stop them and there are things, a few things so good that a man will give a last, full measure of devotion to win them.
Remember, don't forget. On January 11, 2002, Joe Foss, Medal of Honor winner, was held up by airport security when he tried to board a plane. Part of the reason was nobody was able to identify his Medal for what it was: the highest award the United States can give a member of the military. No matter the medal's engraving explained it had been awarded by President Roosevelt in World War II.
No matter Foss was going to show it to the cadets at West Point where he was to make a speech. The medal wasn't recognizable to the security personnel. If he had been carrying an Oscar, it would have caused no problem. It is time for us as a nation to remember and not forget.
On this Memorial Day Weekend we remember those who have served and those who have died to keep us free from the tyranny of dictators. We are to remember and not forget. The words of Abraham Lincoln still apply to our nation. “Remember and do not forget” also applies to the God who revealed Himself to the person of Jesus.
“For God so loved the world… The Creator of the Universe entered human history through the Virgin named Mary, born in Bethlehem, raised by his earthly father, Joseph, a carpenter in Nazareth so that human beings would understand God’s love. The Apostle John wrote: “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God. This is love not that we loved God but that He love us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
At His baptism by John in the Jordan River and again on the Mt. of Transfiguration the disciples heard these words: “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. This is my beloved Son, listen to Him.
As the Jews in Jerusalem were celebrating the Passover with the sacrifice of a lamb, remembering their miraculous deliverance from =Egyptian slavery Jesus was at the same moment demonstrating God’s love as the perfect, unblemished sacrifice on the altar of Calvary for the sins of the world. His sinless life and death was in God’s eternal plan.
God the Father, in the person of Jesus Christ, who is also the Holy Spirit is the biblical truth at the heart of the doctrine of the Trinity. We dare not forget this theological truth, for departure from this doctrine is a departure from Christianity.
In the opening pages of the Bible we read: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, darkness was over the surface of the deep and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. The Hebrew word for God is “Elohim”:.. Elohim is plural, but never translated “gods” with an “s”. In our English language if we want to make something plural we and “s”. It means more than one.
The Hebrew word “Elohim” is used in Genesis and is simply “plural” for God. That is why God can say: “Let us make mankind in our image.” He was speaking to Himself. This same God the Father, God the Creator, whose Holy Spirit moved over the waters of creation was born in Bethlehem. The Apostle Paul understood this truth when he wrote: “Jesus is the visible presence of the invisible God… for God was pleased to have His full deity dwell in the person of Jesus. (Co. 1:15-22)
The doctrine of the Trinity was settled more than 1700 years ago at the Council of Nicaea in 326 A D. More than 318 Bishops across the Roman Empire convened to resolve a raging theological debate between Arius and Athanasius over the nature and person of Jesus. Arius taught that Jesus was indeed the Son of God, but was not equal in power, majesty and substance with God the Father. Times have not changed there are still those who would deny that Jesus is God.
This theological mystery was the constant, ongoing debate between Jesus and the Jewish religious theologians. Jesus said: my works prove who I am. They just could not believe that the God of their Old Testament, which they loved, would one day be physically walking in their presence healing the lame, and raising the dead.
Ever since Satan had introduced sin into the world, He had never experienced defeat. In small skirmishes and great battles, he had emerged victorious. If one temptation failed, he would try another. If one attack was rebuffed he would patiently wait for a more opportune moment to try again. His persistence paid off. Sooner or later all of us, even God’s great heroes of faith, Abraham, Samson, David, Solomon, Peter, Paul, all fathered and failed,. Except for Jesus. Jesus resisted every temptation and gave Satan his first and only defeat.
Jesus voluntarily embraced the wrath of God that should have been ours. He embraced it, allowing the Roman Governor to send Him to Calvary’s cross. There He died as the perfect “lamb of God”. And then three days after His lifeless body had been put into a borrowed tomb, Jesus rose from death. Now having defeated Satan, who holds people in the fear and grip of death, Jesus offers this gift of His righteousness, forgiveness and eternal life to those who accept Him as Savior and Lord.
John writes: “this is love, not that we loved God first, but He loved us and give His life for us. God is love.
Just this past weekend over 29.2 million Americans watched the Royal Wedding of Harry and Megan. I do not know the number world wide, maybe one billion or more. The Rev. Michal Curry, American Episcopal Bishop preached the sermon. The sermon has become a topic of conversation in may households and on the major news outlets. “There is power in love” he said. “Don’t underestimate it.”
Bishop Curry drew from both the Old and New Testament, pointing out that Jesus summarized all the Law and the Prophets as love for God and love for your neighbor and yourself. “Redemptive Love changes lives” the bishop continued, inviting his audience to imagine a world “where love is the way.” And I would add: “If everyone imitated Jesus.”
Bishop Curry encouraged the Royal Wedding couple to imitate Jesus and offer their lives as examples of “Love” that cares for each other and the world. The ultimate goal of the universe is to show the love of God. Bishop “Curry knew, and you and I know that human love cannot match the purity of God’s love demonstrated in the self sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. “Redemptive love
changes lives.” He was reminding a high profile couple to imitate God’s love
.
Remember don’t forget on this Trinity Sunday that we celebrate the uniqueness of our God, three persons, yet one substance. Not only do we remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice on this memorial day it is also time to remember that God Himself gave the ultimate sacrifice of Himself on the cross demonstrating his love.
If we forget long enough, we eventually end up convincing ourselves that the freedoms we enjoy, the blessings we have are a common thing, a totally natural thing, a thing far removed from the blood which was shed by someone else as an investment in us and for our future. Most of all we forget that there are some things, not many, but a few things which are so wrong, so evil, so horrible that it is worth a man's life to stop them and there are things, a few things so good that a man will give a last, full measure of devotion to win them. Jesus did.
In his letter to the Christians in Rome Paul wrote: “We have peace with God through Jesus Christ who died for us while we were still sinners. He has transferred to each believer His righteousness and left our broken commandments on the cross of His Holy and righteous son, Jesus. Let us remember and not forget.
