Monday May 25, “Walking In Wisdom”
Memorial Day. A holiday usually celebrated with family, bbq’s and pool parties. But not this year. This year is different. This year people are social distancing, unable to see their families. Others are in despair over how they will feed their children and pay their bills. And sadly, many more are hurting over the loss of a loved one taken from a virus unheard of just a short time ago. This year there doesn’t seem much to celebrate.
Although fondly known as the unofficial kickoff to summer, Memorial Day is actually a day set aside to honor the men and women who gave their lives serving in the United States military. A holiday meant to mourn loved ones who have passed, but more importantly to celebrate the sacrifice of others. And there is no greater sacrifice to celebrate, then of Christ Jesus. He sacrificed His place in heaven ruling with the Father to come to earth. He sacrificed all the pomp and circumstance befitting a King to live as a pauper. He sacrificed His own needs to tend to the needs of others. He sacrificed His pride, allowing His jailers to mock and spit upon Him. He sacrificed His body to be tortured and beaten beyond recognition. And most gloriously of all, He sacrificed His life, dying nailed to a Cross so that we could live eternally.
One of greatest lessons we can learn from Jesus is the beauty of sacrifice; a lesson James and John would soon be taught. While on the road to Jerusalem Jesus “took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him.” (vs. 32) Yet instead of appreciating the immensity of the suffering Jesus would soon endure, or celebrating the greatness of His sacrifice, the two disciples thought instead about the greatness of themselves. They approached the Lord asking, “Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and One on Your left, in Your glory. But Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism which which I am baptized?’ They said to Him, ‘We are able’.” (vs. 36-39)
Without truly knowing the depths of the Lord’s sacrifice, or the agony He was about to suffer, James and John were quick to agree to sacrifice and suffer along with Him. All in the name of become great and bringing glory to themselves. They didn’t understand the true meaning of greatness. For Jesus says greatness isn’t found in power and glory, instead it’s measured by our ability to live lives of sacrifice as servants and slaves to others. “For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (vs. 45)
Even in this time of trial, the greatness and sacrifice demonstrated by Jesus is all around us. It can be found it in the medical professionals treating the sick, in the front-line workers keeping the economy running, and in communities helping to meet the needs of others. So yes, this Memorial Day is different. But we still have much to celebrate.
