Lest We Forget

Isaiah 46:9-10 …….. Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.

Recently, the last surviving veteran of both World War 1 and World War 2 passed away. His name was Bill Stone and he was 108 years old. I believe that it is of the utmost importance that we remember the men who fought and died for the freedom that we enjoy today. The price they paid was immense; in suffering and in death and in the horrendous conditions they lived in on the battlefields.

It is not only veterans of both World Wars that we must remember, there are also soldiers fighting for our freedom in wars today. We remember Iraq and Afghanistan. The weapons of warfare may have changed but the traumatic experiences and devastating carnage remain as atrocious as ever. We must salute and honour those men and women who risk their lives and often lose it each and every day on our behalf.

Of course, there is one war veteran who suffered more than any of us could ever imagine. His name is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As He hung on the cross at Calvary, He confronted every demonic power and principality. He took the full weight of the sin of all mankind upon Himself. He was attacked physically, spiritually, psychologically and emotionally, yet He never sinned.

He took our punishment in our place and He won. The battlefield of the cross, where Jesus suffered and died, was the place of our tremendous victory. Jesus overcame sin and death and rose again to secure the greatest victory in the history of the world. The Lord Jesus triumphed on the cross so that anyone who believes in Him will be victorious and live with Him forever.

Let us never forget the war veterans from yesterday and today who paid the highest price for our national freedom, but let us always remember our Lord who gave up everything for our complete and total freedom – Jesus Christ, the saviour of the world.

Thank you Jesus, you have given us absolute freedom. Amen