FROM MEMORIAL TO FREEDOM DAY

On Memorial Day, a few weeks ago, we remembered fallen heroes. In a few short weeks we have gone from Memorial Day to Freedom Day. But even now, as July 4th is upon us, the nightly news keeps us painfully aware of our fallen heroes. There may be one or more that each of us knew personally, either from as far back as World War Two or from more current conflicts. I'm sure that we all agree that the fallen heroes deserve to be remembered.

In 1915, Moina Michael, inspired by the poem, "In Flanders Field," contributed a short poem that led to wearing poppies in honor of those who died:

We cherish too the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led.

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies.

It is appropriate that we connect Memorial Day, with its remembrance of fallen heroes, to Independence Day and its celebration of freedom, primarily because there is a direct connection between fallen heroes and our freedom. The PBS Memorial Day broadcast from the Capital steps was all about fallen heroes. Tomorrow's broadcast on the 4th, also from the Capital steps, will be all about celebration, freedom, and victory, capped off with brilliant fireworks.

For us who call ourselves Christians, it is particularly appropriate that we gather at the communion table today and focus on a fallen hero whose life was given in the greatest battle ever fought, and whose blood, as the poem says, "never dies." Every human war ever fought is simply a microcosm of the deeper, greater spiritual war that goes on behind the scenes. As Paul says in Ephesians 6:12, "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the ... spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." We are still engaged in this struggle and we come today to remember and to celebrate the fallen hero who won the decisive battle.

It's been said that every war has a decisive battle. In the Second World War the decisive battle came on D Day and the successful invasion of France. While many battles were yet to be fought, the war was essentially won at that time. There were many fallen heroes on the beach whose sacrifice ultimately led to victory.

Crucifixion day, with its decisive battle, and Resurrection day, with its ultimate victory, go together. Our hero fell, but rose again, enabling Paul to say in Romans 5:10, "If while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled shall we be saved by his life." Reconciled by his death ... saved by his life! Death and all of this world's sin and evil met its match on Calvary when Jesus Christ became our fallen and then our risen hero. Now, at this table, we celebrate the freedom that was won for us by Him.