Mark 14: 3-9
Today is Veteran’s Day. November 11th is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL who have served in the military, living or deceased, but in particular the living veterans among us. My husband is a veteran who served in the Army for twenty years. He was deployed for nine months, jointly assigned with the Navy on a ship during the Persian Gulf War. I remember putting the boys to bed and turning on CNN, the only source of news at the time, to glean some idea of where my husband was and what was happening. It was weeks before I got a handwritten letter, as he was busy coordinating all of the helicopter flights for the group of ships, and flying some himself.
Thankfully it wasn’t a long war, but lives were lost. The war claimed the lives of the first enlisted women to be killed in action, during a Scud missile attack. But Since World War I, hundreds of thousands of men and women have bravely served and lost their lives and hundreds of thousands more were injured, because they loved our country and the freedom it represented.
Familiar to all is John 15: 12-14, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you . . . “
The point is, there is a cost involved in serving to maintain our freedoms, law and order, and national security. Whether you are a fireman running into the fire on 9/11, a law enforcement officer putting their life on the line every day, or a military service member defending our country, you know the risk, but the cost is worth it.
Why did Mary pour the most expensive oil on Jesus’ head and feet? Because she loved Him so much she would give Him anything to show it, and she was preparing Jesus for His sacrifice for everyone on the cross (even if she didn’t realize it at the time).
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45) Jesus Christ was tortured and died on the cross for the sins of us ALL.
How can we practically show our love for Jesus as Mary did?
What does sacrificial love mean to you?
Father, thank you for sending your son to die for us.
Deb Hill
EFCC Member