Thought for Monday 5 May

 

Romans 5:6-8

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.  Now no one is likely to die for a good person, though someone might be willing to die for a person who is especially good.  But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 

This week we remember ‘Victory in Europe Day’ eighty years after the event.  The victory is celebrated and remembered but we should never be allowed to forget the cost of that victory in terms of lives lost and those who survived being left with physical and mental burdens they would carry with them for the rest of their lives. 

In both of the wars in Europe, there were reports of great leadership and reports of poor leadership.  In many cases, the decision makers weren’t the ones who were facing the bombs and bullets.  This should hardly surprise us because mankind is flawed.  No man or woman gets it right at all times.  Men and Women lost their lives by following orders.  I’m pretty sure that the frontline troops would recognise that some of these orders would not achieve what they were intended to achieve but they had to follow these orders without question.  Failure to do so may have resulted in accusations of cowardice or detention. 

The sacrifices made by men and women in any war created by men are more likely to be down to duty or patriotism or belief that the leaders of the country they are fighting for are doing what is right for the future of that country. 

Maybe we need to put a moment aside to include the Germans, Italians and Japanese in our prayers because they were called to serve their countries in the same way as the British, French, Americans, and soldiers from other countries within the British Commonwealth of the time were called.  I can’t believe that the majority of the soldiers that made up our enemy were aware of the horrors being authorised and ordered by some of their leaders, so they, like our own would be motivated by thinking they were doing the right thing. 

Today’s passage tells us that Jesus was willing to die for all those who believe in him and that through him, the sins we all carry will be washed away.  Our Lord had agreed to follow God’s plan and play his part in every stage of the plan that had been put together perfectly before creation itself.  This perfect plan was carried out perfectly by a perfect man motivated not only by duty to his heavenly father, but motivated by the love that will not let us go. 

Prayer.

Heavenly Father, we praise you for your love that’s been poured out into our hearts, so help us in every way today to live in light of your love, for us to live with confidence in your love for us, with hope in your love for us, with joy over your love for us, with patience in light of your love for us, with peace that comes from your love for us, with faith and trust in your love for us.  Amen.