Don't Live in The Cemetery

Don’t live in the cemetery.

Between hamburgers and potato salad, take time today to remember those who paid the ultimate price in defense of the nation. It might be a cliché but it’s true none the less – “Freedom isn’t free!”  Memorial Day was once called Decoration Day. It began in the United States after the Civil War as a day to visit the cemeteries to decorate the graves of those who died in that terrible conflict. After the first World War, the day's focus widened to include a remembrance of all those fallen in war. Visiting a memorial to soldiers lost can be a powerfully moving experience. On several occasions, I have walked the length of the Vietnam memorial on the Mall in Washington, DC and each time, I find that black slab bearing 50,000 names evokes deep emotions.

We never forget but we cannot live in the cemetery with them!  Their sacrifice is meaningless if we do not move on, building a world that honors their sacrifice, cherishing freedom.  In 2013 true patriots need to insist that “liberty and justice for all” is not just something we say.  We must speak up, vote, and make certain that our government maintains the principles of our Constitution!

Yesterday, in our worship, we remembered another sacrifice, a gift of life, that sets us free! On the night before He went to the Cross, Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper, the Communion meal that Christians have celebrated for two millennia. We lift the cup to remember His shed blood which sets us right with our Father.  His death makes it possible for us to forgiveness of our sins. The bread reminds us of His broken body, that He is our Wounded Healer. The Bible's familiar words are:  "On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me." In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant between God and his people-an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it." For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord's death until he comes again." (1 Corinthians 11:23-26, NLT)

Disciple, we don't live in the cemetery! We remember the Cross, but live on the other side of the Resurrection. His death brought us life! That is the amazing fact we remember at the Lord's Table. "Walk worthy!" is the command we hear. Take the gift of the sacrifice and make it count in your day to day choices.

This Memorial Day, I hope you will remember, perhaps even walking through a cemetery where flags decorate the graves of those who died in the armed services of our great nation. Then, I pray you will leave the cemetery inspired to be a citizen who makes their sacrifice meaningful.

Enjoy the holiday!