BUMC Mini-Blast May 28, 2025
Joey's Tuesday Devotional

Memorial Day Reflection on  John 15: 13

Andrea and I are wishing a blessed Memorial Day to one and all!

In our country, since the day was recognized, this has always been a very important day. And, the word “Memorial” calls to mind many things - remembering, honoring, selfless sacrificial love, bravery, etc. This is what this day is supposed to commemorate.

In today’s world, however, although this day has always been meant to honor and respect those service members and their families who gave the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives for our freedoms, protections, and rights, our fast - paced culture that always looks for the best deal has focused too much on having a day off from school or work, finding the best sales on things, having a cookout, and pools finally opening. Don’t get me wrong, these things aren’t bad - it’s ok to have these fun moments throughout the years with friends and family!  But, I think it’s important for us to remember more what today means.

Our service people have always devoted themselves to our founding principles: “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Have we made mistakes? Absolutely! Do we like war? Absolutely not! Are we still striving to be a beacon of democracy for the world? Even though we live in a time period that at times feels very polarizing and authoritarian, I believe that deep down, yes, we are! This is why it is so important and beautiful to remember our fellow patriots who have given their lives for us as their fellow siblings in Christ! 

When I was pondering about a great Bible Passage to use for the Devotion today, John 15: 13 really stuck out. In it, Jesus taught this - “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (NRSV) Jesus obviously performed the most awesome form of this love, through His sinless Death and Resurrection for all humanity. And, as Christians, which means “Christ - like,” we are called to try to be as like Him as possible, even through putting our own lives at risk to show love and protection towards people’s lives, liberties, and pursuits of happiness. Our service people who have performed these heroic acts of love thus deserve our recognition and remembering, and especially our love, which is the true meaning of Memorial Day. 

The United States is a beautiful and unique country. We have people from all walks of life - racial and ethnic, Religious, language, and every other background. This is what makes us great, beautiful, and unique in our world. And, Jesus’ Words really speak to me in this case. Even though we all have different opinions, viewpoints, and beliefs, we are all called to be friends with each other. After all, seeing that we are all God’s children, that means we are all siblings in Christ! Family and friend conflicts happen, but we can and need to all come together offering each other a seat at the table and an opportunity for our voices to be heard. Is that hard? Of course it is! We are human! But, what’s life without a little challenge? (I am in no way belittling how hard this civility and love can be at times. But, it’s still absolutely and always worth the effort!) Let’s come together, share this Jesus Love, and be kind to each other as friends and siblings in Christ.

This Memorial Day, let us truly remember the meaning and importance of this holiday; perhaps it’s better to think about it as an “important day” instead of a “holiday” so we recognize that it’s more than a celebration where we get to do fun things and be home. It’s celebrating, remembering, and honoring those who, as Christ teaches us, showed the greatest form of love - “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Thank you and God bless you for your sacrifice to protect our lives, liberties, and pursuits of happiness, and your vocation to pursue peace and protection for all people in the world. And, may your family and friends have peace and comfort in knowing that you are resting eternally in God’s Peace. We can truly believe that, as God welcomed them home, He said to them “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Quoting from Matthew 25: 21 - 23) Happy, blessed, peaceful Memorial Day! 

Your FRIEND in CHRIST, 

Joey          

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