Yesterday’s Memorial Day celebrations undoubtedly stirred up an abundance of emotions across the nation.
More than 1.3 million U.S. service members have died in wars from the American Revolution to today. While we often think of those numbers in the abstract, their impact ripples through generations. The concept affects all Americans, including people like me, who have never mourned a close family member or friend who died in defense of our country.
Even if we haven’t experienced such losses personally, there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24), who did die for us. For me. For you.
Jesus called his followers “friends” in John 15, and he said there is no greater love than laying down your life for a friend. That’s what he did.
So, on this Day After Memorial Day, let’s continue to be in the remembering mode and recollect these things that God’s son can say to the apostles and/or us:
I washed your feet – John 13:1-17.
I came to serve you – Matthew 20:26-28, Mark 10:43-45.
I died for your sins – Matthew 26:28. During the Last Supper, Jesus said, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” And Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:3, “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures.”
I arose from the grave – Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-18.
I rule in your behalf – Matthew 28:18 says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Ephesians 1:20–22 expounds on that, where Paul wrote: “God … seated him at his right hand … far above all rule and authority … and placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church.” What’s more, Hebrews 7:25 and 1 Timothy 2:5 explain that Jesus intercedes and mediates on our behalf with the Father.
I am with you always, even to the end – In Matthew 28:20, Jesus promises, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Building on that, the author of Hebrews applies Deuteronomy 31:6 to Christian believers: “I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.'”
I’m coming back for you – John 14:1-3. These verses provide Jesus’ clearest personal promise to his followers concerning this guarantee: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me. In my father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
If Christians take this passage to heart, we realize that, basically, we’re here just waiting for the ride home.
As we continue to reflect on this Day After Memorial Day, maybe we should ask ourselves: How will the world remember us? How will it remember me? How will it remember you?
If we’re not exactly happy with the answer to that question, then let’s realize that this adage is true: Today is the first day of the rest of your life.
So gather your courage, breathe deeply and take that first step toward something meaningful.
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Sallie Rose Hollis lives in Ruston and retired from Louisiana Tech as an associate professor of journalism and the assistant director of the News Bureau. She can be contacted at sallierose@mail.com.
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