The Good News

 

Memorial Day. What words are enough?

"Thank you."
"I remember."
"My life is better."
"Thank you."

For all the reasons we support war and for all the reasons we deplore war, it still behooves us to remember with gratitude the value of the lives ended and the blood shed in the pursuit of freedom. It cost them. It cost their families. It cost us. They are worthy of remembrance.

Theysaw things with their own eyes that some of us, because of them, will never see. They did things with their own hands that some of us, because of them, will never be called on to do. They lived through nights ablaze and darkened days only to have the light fade away forever. They heard the sounds of battle, of desperation, of despair and death that some of us, because of them, may never hear. At least not like that. They went places where some of us, because of them, will live to avoid. Each of their lives and each of their deaths impacts all of us, each of us. They are worthy of remembrance.

Their lives and deaths on our behalf put us in mind of Another who lived and died, a divine sacrifice, that others might live. That we might have life and have it to the full. That we might have joy and have it completely. That those who "believe in Him, though they die, yet shall they live." He is worthy of remembrance. Worthy of devotion. Worthy of love.

God sent his Son Jesus into this world, a war zone, specifically to give his life for us. He lived. He died for our sins. He rose from the dead. For us. For life.

That’s the good news worthy of remembrance.

Pastor Dale McIntire has served as pastor of the Cornerstone Community Church in Grand Marais since April of 1995.