The Ultimate Sacrifice

Today is Memorial Day. It is a day that is set aside to remember and honor those who so selflessly died while serving our country. What would our country be today if we didn't have those men and women who passionately believed in the freedom of our country? They sacrificed their lives so that you and I can experience the freedom we have today.

Our founding fathers believed in this freedom and built this Nation on the strong foundation of God.

Jesus, God's son is the ultimate example of sacrifice. God has made a way for us to be free from sin. He has given us his Son whom He loves to be the sacrifice and atonement for all sin. Romans 6:22-" But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." This gift is free to all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, confess their sins and accept Jesus as their personal Savior.

I came across a song that was written by Twila Paris that parallels these two sacrifices: the sacrifice a soldier makes for the freedom of his country and the sacrifice that Jesus made for mankind so that all may have the opportunity to be free from the penalty of sin.

Lyrics to "What Did He Die For?"
Written by Twila Paris
Copyright 1996 Ariose Music/Mountain Spring Music

He was 21 in 1944
He was hope and he was courage on a lonely shore
Sent there by a mother with love beyond her tears
Just a young American who chose to rise above his fears
And as I watch him struggle up that hill
Without a thought of turning back
I cannot help but wonder

What did he die for?
When he died for you and me
Made the sacrifice
So that we could all be free
I believe we will answer each to heaven
For the way we spend a priceless liberty
Look inside and ask the question
What did he die for?
When he died for me

To the darkest day in A.D. 33
Came the mercy and compassion of eternity
Sent there by a Father with love beyond His tears
Blameless One, the only Son
to bear the guilt of all these years
And as I watch Him struggle up that hill
Without a thought of turning back
I cannot help but wonder

What did He die for?
When He died for you and me
Made the sacrifice
So that we could all be free
I believe we will answer each to heaven
For the way we spend a priceless liberty
Look inside and ask the question
What did He die for?

He died for freedom
He died for love
And all the things we do to pay Him back
Could never be enough

What did He die for?
When He died for you and me
Made the sacrifice
So that we could all be free
I believe we will answer each to heaven
For the way we spend a priceless liberty
Look inside and ask the question
What did He die for?
When He died for me

Remember to thank God today for all the men and women who sacrificially gave up their lives so that we could experience freedom in our country. Also remember to thank Him for loving us so much and sending His only son to be the sacrificial lamb who gave us freedom from sin. (John 3:16)