Tomorrow is Independence Day. It is the day we celebrate the birth of this great nation that we live in. Oh, we have our problems, to be sure. But even so, we are still the country that people from all over the world long to make their home. Contrary to what many may try to tell us:
Our history is one of a continual struggle to obtain and keep the freedom that we enjoy. Unfortunately, in order to do that, we have had to fight often and fight hard. War requires ordinary men and women to do extraordinary things. Without those brave people, people who are willing to risk and even lose their lives for one another, and for people they do not even know, freedom as we know it would cease to exist. God has blessed this country with just those kind of people whenever the need has occurred. He has done it from the time of the American Revolution, through the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Viet Nam, and on to today’s War on Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Ever since the beginning, stories have come out of those wars telling of men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for one another and the cause of freedom. Some examples I think about are the stories from the modern wars about soldiers who threw their own bodies on grenades to smother the blast and save their comrades. I also think of the men who volunteered to carry the flags during battles of the Civil War, knowing full well that they would draw all of the enemy’s fire and the probability was extremely high that they would not survive the battle. And of course, some of the latest examples were the police officers and firemen who bravely rushed into the blazing inferno of the Twin Towers, while everyone else was desperately trying to get out and as far away as possible, and those heroes on the hijacked plane that went down in Pennsylvania before it could hit its ultimate target in Washington.
These true heroes come to mind each Fourth of July as I contemplate the birth of this nation. And as I think about their sacrifices, I can’t help but wonder why they did it. What causes a person to intentionally give up his or her life to save and serve others? As I was preparing this sermon, I realized that I have asked the same question about Jesus. Why did Jesus do what He did?
That is the reason Jesus suffered all that He did for us. He loves us, even when we are not so loveable. He loves us, even when we do not love Him. He was willing to die for us, even as we spit in His face.
I believe that those men and women who have made, are making, or will make, the ultimate sacrifice for others do it because, even though some people may not even realize it, Jesus Christ has placed within us a spark of that love for one another.
Today is a day when we need to thank God for raising up those folks who have answered, and continue to answer, the call to serve country and God. We need to praise God and ask Him to continually bless those people who demonstrate and project the love of Christ to those who need to see and feel it in their nations, and in their lives. We need to honor those who have given themselves for us.
In honor of all who have fought the good fight and given the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and the freedom that it represents, I want to read a letter from a Civil War Union soldier from Rhode Island named Sullivan Ballou, written to his wife Sarah on July 14, 1861 just prior to his company going into battle.
My very dear Sarah:
The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days – perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more.
Our movements may be of a few days duration and full of pleasure – and it may be one of some conflict and death to me. “Not my will, but thine, O God be done.” If it is necessary that I should fall on the battle field for my Country, I am ready.
I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans on the triumph of the Government, and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and sufferings of the Revolution. And I am willing – perfectly willing – to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt.
But my dear wife, when I know that with my own joys, I lay down nearly all of yours, and replace them in this life with cares and sorrows, when after having eaten for long years the bitter fruits of orphanage myself, I must offer it as the only sustenance to my dear little children, is it weak or dishonorable, that while the banner of my forefathers floats calmly and fondly in the breeze, underneath my unbounded love for you, my darling wife and children should struggle in fierce, though useless contests with my love of Country.
I cannot describe to you my feelings on this calm Summer Sabbath night, when two-thousand men are sleeping around me, many of them enjoying perhaps the last sleep before that of death, while I am suspicious that death is creeping around me with his fatal dart, as I sit communing with God, my Country and thee. I have sought most closely and diligently and often in my heart for a wrong motive in thus hazarding the happiness of those I love, and I could find none. A pure love of my Country and of the principles I have so often advocated before the people – another name of Honor that I love more than I fear death, has called upon me and I have obeyed.
Sarah my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and burns me unresistably on with all these chains to the battle field.
The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and seen our sons grown up to honorable manhood, around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me – perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar, that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, it will whisper your name. Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have often times been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness, and struggle with all the misfortunes of this world to shield you, and your children from harm. But I cannot. I must watch you from the Spirit-land and hover near you, while you buffet the storm, with your precious little freight, and wait with sad patience, till we meet to part no more.
But, O Sarah! if the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the gladest days and in the darkest nights, advised to your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours, always, always, and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath, as the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by. Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again.
As for my little boys – they will grow up as I have done, and never know a father's love and care. Little Willie is too young to remember me long – and my blue eyed Edgar will keep my frolicks with him among the dim memories of childhood. Sarah I have unlimited confidence in your maternal care and your development of their characters, and feel that God will bless you in your holy work.
Tell my two Mothers I call God's blessing upon them. O! Sarah I wait for you there; come to me and lead thither my children.
Sullivan
Sullivan Ballou died from the wounds sustained in battle two weeks after he wrote this letter. It was never mailed, but was found in his trunk and delivered to Sarah months later. This letter demonstrates the love of Christ Jesus better than I ever could. Christ gave His life “so that whoever believes on Him can have everlasting life.” The question is, are you included in that “whoever” that Jesus speaks of? God loves each and every one of us enough to have suffered all that He did for us. Does He deserve any less from us?
In Matthew 27:22, Pilate asks, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” This is the question everyone must ask him or herself when we are confronted with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The gift of salvation is free to us, but it cost God His Son’s life here on earth. All we have to do is receive it by accepting Jesus and what He did for us that day on that cross. All we have to do is ask for it and allow Jesus to come into our hearts and lives.
For everyone who has done this I shout, “Hallelujah!!” For anyone who has not, for everyone who has rejected Him, my heart grieves and I must say, “I still wonder why?” AMEN.