Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – John 15

Highlight Verse:

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

My great uncle Howell signed up for the US Navy as early as he could.

Despite World War II being in full swing he never went overseas. By the time he completed boot camp the war was thankfully winding down.

He continued his training as a tail gunner in a torpedo bomber.

On December 5, 1945, he was called in to take the place of a sick fellow tail gunner on a training flight off the coast of Florida.

He and 13 other crewmen never came back.

While he never saw combat, he ended up giving his life to protect our country.

He signed up knowing the risk. In the end he laid down his life for his fellow Americans.

Memorial Day reminds us of the sacrifice of lives lost in defense of the United States.

In World War II, nearly 300,000 Americans gave the ultimate sacrifice to defend their land.

Over the past 250 years, some estimates put the number at over a million lives lost fighting for American freedom and defense.

Whatever your opinion of war may be, there is no denying that these people believed it was worth risking their lives to defend America.

Jesus said there was no greater love than this.

Of course, He was speaking prophetically as He was soon to give His life for His friends – for all who would trust Him.

We do well to take time this weekend to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom.

Let’s also not forget the sacrifice that Jesus gave to grant us true freedom.

Who would you like to memorialize for giving their lives for our freedom?
What is a good way to remember Jesus’ sacrifice this weekend?