Scripture: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13
Explanation of Song: Elvina Hall (1820-1889) was a member of a church choir and quietly penned a poem during her pastor’s message. Later, when she shared this poem with him, he, in turn, showed it to the church’s organist, who had composed a melody, but had no words to accompany it. In 1865, the hymn was published after three individuals, Elvina Hall, her pastor, Reverend Schrick, and the organist, John Grape, collaborated to make her original poem a beautiful memorial to the Lord Jesus Christ and His sacrifice.
Application: In 1971, Memorial Day became a federal holiday to remember all American military personnel who lost their lives in service to our country. While not established as a federal holiday until 1971, the day of remembrance actually began in 1865 in Charleston, SC as Decoration Day. It was a day set aside to honor the imprisoned Union soldiers who perished in prison there during the Civil War. Flowers were placed on their graves and hymns were sung in the remembrance of these brave men and their sacrifices. Now celebrated on the last Monday in May, flags are lowered to half-staff around our nation as we honor and remember the sacrifice of those who gave all they had for the cause of liberty and national sovereignty, protecting our country from the threat of tyranny, foreign invasion, and global terrorism.
For the Christian, we have another “memorial” day to remember and honor. While the exact date is unknown, the event is globally recognized. It involves the death of one man who willingly sacrificed Himself for every person who ever lived. He died for the cause of spiritual liberty, saving us from the consequences of sin. God’s wrath and judgement an eternity of punishment in hell. Of course, I am referring to the sacrifice Jesus made upon the cross of Calvary.
Unlike those who visit the graves of military personnel to lay flowers upon them, Christians cannot honor the Lord in this manner. While the Bible tells us that three days after His burial, there were a group of ladies who went to the tomb to anoint the body of Christ in love and remembrance, they were unable to do so. Upon arriving at the site, the ladies were greeted by an angel who declared, “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.” (Matthew 28:6).
The crucifixion of Jesus is historically a fact; His burial is a fact, and most wondrous of all, is that His resurrection three days after His death is a fact that cannot be denied. The Bible tells us that He was seen by over 500 individuals in the 40-day period after His resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:6 verifies this, “After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once;”.
Jesus died to protect our souls from hell. He offered His precious blood to pay the price for our sins and make a way for us to be reconciled to God. His CHOSE this path… this destiny… for you and me.
This Memorial Day as we remember those who gave their lives for our beloved country and its citizens, take a moment to remember the Son of God who died so that we might live forever in heaven with Him… and remember the cost.
Memory Verse: “After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.” – 1 Corinthians 11:25
Stretching your thoughts:
1. Take a few moments to reflect upon what Jesus gave up to give us salvation.
2. Then, take a few more moments to reflect upon what He endured to give us salvation.
3. Now take another moment to thank Him for all He sacrificed to reconcile us to Himself.
I hear the Savior say, "Thy strength indeed is small,
Child of weakness, watch and pray, find in Me thine all in all."
Refrain:
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.
Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow'r and Thine alone,
Can change the leper's spots and melt the heart of stone. [Refrain]
For nothing good have I where-by Thy grace to claim;
I'll wash my garments white in the blood of Calv'ry's Lamb. [Refrain]
And when, before the throne, I stand in Him complete,
"Jesus died my soul to save," my lips shall still repeat. [Refrain]
(from “Jesus Paid It All”by Elvina Hall)