What Do Jesus and American Soldiers Share in Common?

Mike Hosey, An Elder

Memorial Day is ultimately an observance of love and commitment. This is because of the interwoven nature of those blessings.

At Fellowship Church, we have defined love as being committed to the well-being of others. We’ve explored that definition in a number of ways, and in each instance we’ve discovered that the concept of love is inseparable from the concept of commitment. The two are so entwined that in almost every scriptural reference where the word love is used, it can be replaced with the word commitment while retaining the meaning of the verse, or in some cases, perhaps, enhancing it. It can be said, then, that the zenith of love is commitment. But recognizing this leads us to the question of, “what is commitment?”

Perhaps it is best to define commitment as one’s willingness to give of oneself in the cause of another’s well-being. This truth is demonstrated by Christ himself. He loved us so much – he was so committed to our eternal well-being – that while we were still sinners, he died for us (Romans 5:8). Christ’s love was demonstrated by his commitment, and his commitment was demonstrated by his self-sacrifice. Self-sacrifice, then, is the zenith of commitment. In fact, this concept is attested to in scripture when Christ teaches that no one shows greater love than the person who lays down his or her life for friends (John15:13).

When we observe Memorial Day, we are remembering not those soldiers who currently serve, but those soldiers who have served with the greatest commitment by laying down their lives. In America, soldiers serve freely in a volunteer military, so those who have sacrificed their lives represent the zenith of patriotism, or love for one’s country.  They are admirable, and worthy of both remembrance and praise.

But more admirable still is the love one shows for God by following the instruction Jesus gives right before he tells us that the zenith of our love is the laying down of our lives. Prior to that verse, he tells us to love others as he has loved us (John 15:12). Consider his command in light of how he died for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8).