We Remember...

Sunday November 11, 2012
Remembrance Day. 

Let me quote from an article in the Toronto Sun:

Since the end of World War I in 1918, Canadians, and millions of others around the world have paused at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to honour the sacrifices our soldiers made fighting for the freedoms that we all enjoy today.  The Great War was a dark period for our young country, claiming the lives of over 60,000 military personnel and civilians, with over 16 million dead worldwide...  As there are no more surviving veterans of WW I, today we rely on the wisdom and words of those veterans who fought in the wars that followed.  They tell us to always remember what those brave souls fought for, and all they ask in return is that we never forget.  That’s why we wear the red poppy, that’s why when we see a soldier in uniform we should stop him or her and say, “thank you”, that’s why we take a pause from our busy lives for two short minutes today to honour that request.

It's a time to remember the sacrifice made by so many, to remember those who died serving their country, and to remember those who have survived, who have served, and may still be serving.  The sacrifice they willingly made, so that we might live, so that we might enjoy the freedom we have, so that we might have life.

READ:  1 Corinthians 11: 23-25

This is a passage we use each week in our church, during Communion (Lord's Supper).  This is a time that Jesus told us we are to gather together to remember Him.  The juice and the wafer are symbols of the body of Jesus that was broken and the blood of Jesus that was spilled out - for us.  We are to remember that Jesus gave up His life, so that if we believe in Him as our Saviour and Lord, we will live forever with Him.  We have that eternal life the moment we become a believer, but we also know we get to spend forever with Him in heaven.  We are to remember that Jesus sacrificed His life, so that we might have freedom from doing wrong, and so that we might have life.  He willingly gave up His life, in order to give us life. 

Today, we remember sacrifice - the soldiers gave so much so we might enjoy so much - some gave their lives so we might have life.  Today we remember sacrifice - Jesus gave so much (His life) so we might enjoy so much - He gave His life so we might have life. 

John 15:13
There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.

Today, we remember the soldiers... today, we remember Jesus.  Today, we remember sacrifices - and give thanks for those who gave up much so we might have much.

We remember....