Greater Love
Have any of you heard of the musical Hamilton? It chronicles the life of Alexander Hamilton and the rise of a nation — from being on the cusp of war, fighting in the Revolution, running the Treasury Department, to the end of his life.
The first portion of the musical is about the Revolutionary War. And at various points, things were looking very bleak for the Americans. One song makes reference to Washington’s army eating their horses. Another song talks about how the Revolutionists were “Outgunned, Outmanned, Outnumbered, and Outplanned” by the British. It paints a picture of desperation: the British taking Brooklyn, the Revolutionists being abandoned. In the words of Washington:
“Any hope of success is fleeting
How can I keep leading when the people I’m
Leading keep retreating?”
We know the fight for our independence was not easy. But they kept going. And as we also know, they ended up winning. We are free to celebrate today because they kept going.
Why did they keep going when it looked so bleak? Freedom was something they believed so strongly in and wanted so badly that they didn’t give up. They wanted a better life for their families, children, and future generations.
We see this same determination, this same hope in a better life throughout the history of our armed forces, and still today. Men and women voluntarily sign up and put their lives on the line because they love this country, they love the freedoms we have here, and they love their families tremendously.
Today in particular, we remember and thank those who have served and given their lives, so that we can continue to have our freedom.
I have lyrics from another song I’d like to share with you. Not from Hamilton, maybe you’ll recognize them.
He hung upon a cross, He hung upon a cross,
He hung upon a cross for you and me.
He bowed his head and died.
He rose on Easter morn.
He’s coming back some day for you and me.
Jesus didn’t give up. Things were definitely rough for him. He had done absolutely nothing wrong, but was beaten and nailed to a cross. He could have said “no” at any point and walked away. He could have gotten down from the cross. Death wasn’t a possibility for him – it was a certainty.
Why did he keep going when it looked so bleak? He went all the way to the cross, to Hell and back for us, because he loves us that much. 1 John 3:16 tells us we can know what love is, because of what Jesus did for us:
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”
The Revolutionists loved their friends and families and wanted freedom so badly that they didn’t give up. Memorial Day is about remembering all the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country — they died so that we could know freedom. Jesus wanted us so badly that he didn’t give up. He came here on a rescue mission so that we could know him and be with him forever, and today – and everyday – we give thanks for that.
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Written and shared by Sojo.