Memorial Day |

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, was born from the ashes of the civil war. General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued General Order no.11 on the 5th of May 1868 in the desire to honor the dead from both sides of the tragic war. On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield gave a speech at the new Arlington cemetery with over 5,000 guests who decorated over 20,000 graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers who paid the ultimate price with their lives.

Memorial Day expanded to honor all those who have given their lives for our nation. The day is now observed on the last Monday in May by the congressional passage of the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 – 363). This helped ensure a three-day weekend for Federal holidays.

This weekend we honor our fallen, we honor the price they paid, we honor their courage, and we honor the families who have given so much so that we can have life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
But we must never forget the blood, sweat, and finally the life given by the Warrior who saved millions of lives by one act of self-denial, He accepted the mission even though He knew that He was entering a hostile environment. He proceeded forward knowing that the recon reports clearly indicated that it was a suicide mission. He was fearless with the heart of Lion, and yet he was tender as a Lamb in the open meadows. He was focused on His mission, and yet He cared for the very same people that were antagonistic to the mission. The world was set on a course for self-destruction. Only one Warrior could stop the countdown. Only one Fighter could put His hand out and stop the clock of annihilation. Only one. Finally He extends His arms out and prevents in one act of sacrifice the destruction of all humanity. The name of this Warrior is Jesus.

We are given a memorial to follow “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 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. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Each time we partake in the communion we are also giving honor to our Savior. He died; His blood was spilled for you and I. He made the ultimate sacrifice for us. But there is one difference. His grave-site, His Tomb, His burial spot is empty. He died, and rose from the grave paving the way for all future warriors who are willing to follow His lead. We are to take the bloodstained banner, and march forward into the same world. We are to take the same mission and proclaim that we have been set from free from the bondage of imprisonment. We are to proclaim to the world that through the sacrifice of our General, the way has been paved so that all who follow Him can break free from the bondage of addiction, from the bondage of obsession, from the bondage of sin. We have been set free by that one act of self-sacrifice. As we celebrate Memorial Day, let us also remember our General who sacrificed His life so that we can live.

“Christ was standing at the point of transition between two economies and their two great festivals. He, the spotless Lamb of God, was about to present Himself as a sin offering, that He would thus bring to an end the system of types and ceremonies that for four thousand years had pointed to His death. As He ate the Passover with His disciples, He instituted in its place the service that was to be the memorial of His great sacrifice. The national festival of the Jews was to pass away forever. The service which Christ established was to be observed by His followers in all lands and through all ages.” {CCh 298.2}

May God bless you this Sabbath, and this weekend, as we remember the fallen who sacrifice their lives so that we may have freedom.

P.S. Please watch this incredible Video for Memorial Day