05/22/2026
It is no small thing to lay down one’s life for a group of people, most of whom are strangers, simply because one has something in common with them. Yet that is what we in America dedicate this weekend to: remembering the thousands of men and women who answered the call to defend freedom and ended up sacrificing their lives.
Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He gave His disciples their calling:
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20a)
All but one of the Twelve died answering this call, and the one that didn’t, gave all his remaining days to it. Though not all of us are called to join the military or give our lives for our country, we are ALL called to answer Jesus’s Great Commission.
We may not necessarily have to give up our literal lives (though that’s not out of the realm of possibility), but we ARE called to commit the rest of our days to it.
So, I’ll be blunt. How are you answering it? Are your life and your words saying, “Let my Jesus change your life?” Is His glorious cause engaging your heart so that Jesus Christ may be known wherever you are?
If we are honest, I believe most of us would say that we are distracted by many things. We would say that we have good intentions but are not quick to carry those intentions out. We would admit that while we know there are thousands in our families and communities who need to be made into disciples, we just aren’t sure they will listen to us.
We need to ask God to give us the strength and courage to speak and implore Him to perform His wondrous deeds through those who are weak. We need to beg Him for a fresh wind so that we, the Church, who bear His light will willingly, intentionally tell the world of the treasure we’ve found.
Friends, this is a command. Not a suggestion. If you walk in freedom, and if you bear His name, you will one day join all who’ve gone before us and all who will believe in worship of the One who paid the ultimate sacrifice for your freedom from sin. Our calling is to bring as many people with us as we can.
And we can do this because of His promise: "I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:20b).
This week's Worship setlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh7uaFM-lRprILpkQ94aX-ejBs4RpLDy8&si=N2CjIFI-k2qsSLOc
