“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13
Today begins Memorial Day weekend and it looks to be a gorgeous one in Northern Virginia. In recent years, Memorial Day has largely become synonymous with the “start of summer”, a three-day festival of pools, picnics, and parties to kick off the frivolity and fun of the summer months.
Things are different in 2020. This year is easily the strangest Memorial Day weekend in recent decades: pools are closed, parties are largely cancelled, and even picnics are small and anxious things. While we may lament their absence, this strange season provides an opportunity to refocus on the true meaning of Memorial Day.
In the United States, Memorial Day is when we’re called to remember and honor all those who’ve given their lives in defense of this nation (more than 1 million men and women since the Revolutionary War). For Christians we understand that freedom comes at a terrible cost: our freedom from slavery to sin and death was bought with the shed blood of our crucified Savior Jesus Christ. Likewise for those who enjoy the freedoms and blessings of life in the United States – these freedoms also came at a terrible cost. Throughout American history, men and women have laid down their lives for their friends, family members, neighbors, nation, and countless future generations.
May this unusually quiet Memorial Day weekend be an opportunity to reflect and give thanks to God for those who have given, “the last full measure of devotion.”