This past Sunday, I joined the Remembrance Day parade that marches through our town, ending at the war memorial, where various local organisations present wreaths in honour of those who gave their lives for our country during times of conflict.
It’s a very moving occasion, and I enjoyed following the band playing drums and xylophone, then listening to them as they played sober music to accompany the laying down of the wreaths. It’s wonderful to see the local children getting involved, whether it’s through the brownies and girl guides, the scouts and cubs, or even the sea cadets. It’s important, because it gives them a sense of history, and a respect for those who gave so much to help protect the freedoms they now enjoy. Each year, the same words are recited, taken from a poem by Robert Laurence Binyon.
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”
Toward the end of the service, we always hear: “For our tomorrows, they gave their today.” If we’re not careful, it can become so predictable that we lose the significance of what we are remembering. Although we primarily focus on the 2 world wars, we need to remember that barely a day goes by without conflict in this tumultuous world in which we live. It is a world that desperately needs peace and hope, and sadly, many do not realise that the only true way these things can be found is in Jesus, who himself is The Way, The Truth, And The Life. (John 14: 6.)
After leaving the war memorial, we wended our way back to church, where we were reminded of the one whose sacrifice was even greater than those who gave their lives in conflict. As honourable as the servicemen we remember doubtlessly were, they were sinful men and women, just like the rest of us. They definitely did not deserve to die in such brutal ways, but they, like us, sinned, and fell short of God’s glory. They needed a Saviour, and my prayer is that before they lost their lives, they committed themselves to the one who died for them. For those who did, the words about never growing old have even more significance, as they are now dwelling with God in a place outside of time.
If we honour our fallen dead, then how much more should we honour Jesus? He never sinned. I know that’s hard to believe, because we are so prone to sin, but he lived a perfect life, and died a perfect death. The battle he fought was the greatest war of all – the conflict of good versus evil, of light versus darkness, and of death versus eternal life. If it wasn’t for Jesus, we would have no hope. This life would be all there is, and how sad that would be. Yet, for the Christian, eternity stretches out before us. We are unlikely to see lasting peace this side of heaven. Man will continue to fight man, motivated by greed and self-righteousness, but one day, we will dwell in the place of eternal peace.
It is always painful to lose a loved-one, whether they die in war, of old age, or are struck down by sudden illness, but there is great comfort to be found when we know that person is in heaven, waiting with Jesus for the day when we will join them. I have lost several people I love during the past few years. With some, I know they are with Christ, but with others, I am not sure if they committed their lives to him, and I won’t know until I get there.
Thinking back to those words from Robert Laurence Binyon about remembering the fallen dead at the going down of the sun and in the morning, I was reminded of a scripture verse from Psalm 113, verse 3. “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” This is something we need to remember all the time, and not just on a set day of the year. So let’s remember and honour our servicemen, but let’s give even more honour to the one who gave his all so we might have eternity.