Greetings in the Name of Our Lord,
What do you think of when you think of Memorial Day—the beginning of summer vacation, barbecues in the back yard, family get-togethers? In most churches Memorial Day is ignored because it is not one of the holy days on the church calendar. But I believe that it would be good for us to consider what Memorial Day really represents, for its very name calls us to remember.
The ability to remember is a wonderful gift God has given us. In a flash we can be a child again, skipping rocks across a pond, or walking in a meadow. Through memory we can fall in love, get married, and enjoy our children all over again. All this is possible through the blessing of memory.
Some of our memories are happy as we recall wonderful experiences. But some are sad, and we may weep as we remember them. Memories are also very practical. If we couldn’t remember that a red light means “stop,” we’d be in trouble. If you weren’t able to remember what day it is, or your anniversary or wife’s birthday – you’d be in big trouble. So memories are practical. The problem, though, is that sometimes memory fails us. Sometimes we forget. There are events that we should never forget. And Memorial Day commemorates some of them. But people tend to be forgetful, and we seem to need help to jog our memories.
2 Timothy 2:3 says, “Endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” In America, we observe a day called “Memorial Day” or “Decoration Day.” It is marked by parades, speeches; flags and flowers are placed on the graves of many servicemen. It was first observed on May 30, 1868, for the purpose of decorating the graves of the Civil War Dead. Then, after WW1 it became a national holiday dedicated to remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms that we enjoy. Now, it remembers all of those who died in the wars our nation have fought. And it is also a day upon which we remember our loved ones who have gone on before. I think as well, we would be wise to remember the “good soldiers of Jesus Christ,” who paved the way for you and me in our Christian lives. Thank God for the good soldiers of Jesus Christ who have fought well, such as those who are mentioned in Hebrews 11.
What are some marks of a good soldier? Let me share a few.
He/She Is A Follower. See Mark 8:34. No one can be a good leader who cannot first be a good follower. In the military there is almost always someone in rank above you, whose orders you must follow. Following Jesus is no option, it is a command. In the military refusal to obey an order is not allowed. Court martial will follow; yet we take obedience to God so very lightly in our daily lives.
She/He Is A Fighter. They are trained and taught to be aggressive when necessary. They will not cower or retreat in the face of the enemy. They will defend their own honor and that of their country. The Bible tells us to “Fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12). The verb “fight” in the Greek N.T. is present tense (suggesting not letting up) and is in the imperative mode (which means it is a command and not a suggestion).
He/She Is Familiar. First, a soldier is familiar with the strategy of the enemy (compare 2 Cor.2:11). Secondly, they are familiar with the skills concerning weaponry (Eph.6:10-18). Thirdly, they are familiar with the shadows of their friends (Heb.10:25). The good soldier is not only looking out for theirself, but also for their friends–there is a mutual need for being close to other soldiers as you fight the
She/He Is Faithful. A soldier remains true even when they must “endure hardness” as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Tim.2:3). That expression means, “to take one’s share of rough treatment; to suffer or endure affliction together.” It actually means to “suffer hardship in company with”—the good soldier is always true and loyal.
How will you remember?