THE SUPREME SACRIFACE 2

(Written by Cindy Mead)

November is the month we remember the young men and women who went to war of their own free will so we could enjoy the freedoms we have today. Some of the soldiers were barely 18, the age when most young people decide what they want to do with their lives.

The young people who enlisted in the war knew what they wanted to do; they wanted to defend their country, knowing they could be injured, such as losing an arm or a leg, and would have to live with the consequences of their injuries for the rest of their lives. In a single moment, their lives could change. They could go home in wheelchairs, and have to learn a whole new way of doing things. There were also many who would come home with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This disorder affects people who have experienced or witnessed traumatic events. It causes the person to have flashbacks of the event and face many mental challenges. Then, of course, there were the soldiers who would never come home at all, as they were the ones who lost their lives.     

         Since World War 1, which was from July 28, 1914 until November 11, 1919., we celebrate the ending of the first World War, and all the other wars which have occurred since then. Remembrance Day is observed on November 11 at 11 a.m. as that was the day and time when the First World War was over with the signing of the Armistice Agreement which ended the war. Remembrance Day was first observed in the Commonwealth states. At first it was called “Armistice Day” in honour of the men and women who gave their lives so we can live in peace and freedom today. The first Remembrance Day was held on November 11, 1931.

            We should remain grateful for the men and women who have served in times of war and who have made it possible for us to live in peace. Now, it is up to us to keep that peace.

             We also need to give the Lord thanks and praise for the freedom and abundance He has blessed our country with. God created a perfect world in which He created a perfect man and woman. God gave them one commandment. “ And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat;  but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17). The serpent tempted Eve, and she ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. From that moment on man was in sin, and all of creation was cursed.

          However, God created man to have a relationship with Him, but in that very moment when he ate the forbidden fruit, man forsook his relationship with God. This broke the heart of God to the point that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to earth, to bring man back to Himself. Up until this point, the Trinity, which consists of God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit, had never been separated in all of eternity past.

           Jesus willingly left the glory of the Trinity to become a man and live on earth, teaching and healing people of their diseases. Near the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus told His disciples He was going to Jerusalem to suffer and die. He was even betrayed by one of His own disciples, Judas Iscariot. (cf. Matthew 26:14-16, 25,) and Peter, one of Jesus disciples denied that he knew Jesus. (cf. Matthew 26:69).

        The high priests came against Jesus with swords and clubs and beat Him, putting stripes on His back, before leading Him away to Pilate where the scribes and elders were assembled.  They were mocking Jesus and bringing all kinds of false witnesses against Him until someone in the multitude said, “Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:20).       

            He came to earth to give us another kind of freedom which cannot be obtained with any weapons of war. I am speaking of a spiritual freedom which Jesus Christ, God’s Son purchased for us on the cross. We remain an enemy of God without Christ. If you want a restored relationship with God and truly repent of your sin and are willing to turn from sin and live for Jesus, then pray this prayer, “Father, I come to You, to repent of my sin and I want to live totally for You. Please cleanse me from my sin, and give me the freedom in the areas of my life that You alone know of. I want to follow You for the rest of my life.”

            If you have a Bible, or can access one online, begin reading in the Gospel of John, which is the fourth book of the New Testament. It will explain to you how much God loves you, and wants to have a relationship with you.

                                    By Cindy Mead