“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36
War is an ugly thing! How many men and women through the ages have given their lives in wars around the globe? How many mothers have wept at the loss of their sons, cut down at a young age in battle? How many men and women bear deep emotional and mental scars for life, because of the horrors of war? How much blood has been soaked into this planet for the sake of attaining or maintaining freedom? The cost of freedom is enormously high, yet nevertheless worth it, because the value of freedom is priceless.
The Armistice of Compiègne, signed in a railway carriage in the Forest of Compiègne, came into effect at 11:00 AM on November 11, 1918, ending fighting on land, sea and air in the Great War to end all wars! It marked a victory for the Allies, and a defeat for Germany. Tragically, the Great War was not the end of all wars! Many have died in battle since, and our military continues to serve in many places around the world to protect our peace. This coming Remembrance Day, we do well to remember and to be grateful – extremely grateful – for the sacrifice of millions of lives to purchase our liberty! The cost of freedom is enormously high, yet nevertheless worth it, because the value of freedom is priceless.
Yet, there is One who paid a higher price for our freedom. There is One who died, not for His friends, but for His enemies! One who paid the ultimate price, who suffered the agonies of hell for those who mocked Him, spit upon Him, cursed Him and nailed Him to the tree! May God help us to live our lives in the remembrance of all who died to purchase our freedom, but most of all, in the constant remembrance of the tremendous price of the blood of the unblemished Lamb, paid at the cross of Calvary to secure our eternal freedom in the new Heavens and the new Earth, where there will be peace forevermore! Hallelujah! What a gospel! Hallelujah! What a Saviour!