Theme Pages: Jesus and The Military

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

I have seen this proclamation enacted every day since March 21, 2003, when America vowed to finish the war Iraq began twelve years ago upon invading Kuwait. Each morning I check the news to see how our troops are faring. Sometimes I see the faces of our soldiers flash across the screen and I am taken with them. I don't know a one of them personally, yet I care deeply for their well being. And I marvel at the character of these wonderful strangers who are defending my safety even as I write this. A few mornings ago it flashed into my head the similarities of what these noble people are doing, and what our selfless Lord did for us all 2000 years ago. Perhaps you, too, will be startled by the similarities and see both, Jesus, and our military in a new light.

JESUS: Saw us in our captivity
The COALITION: Saw Iraqi people in their captivity

JESUS: Wanted to help
The COALITION: Wanted to help

JESUS: Chose to leave the comfort of His home
The COALITION: Chose to leave the comfort of their homes

JESUS: Came to liberate us from the enemy
The COALITION: Came to liberate Iraq from the enemy

JESUS: Received no reward for His trouble
The COALITION: Receive no reward for their trouble

JESUS:Put Himself in grave danger
The COALITION: Put themselves in grave danger

JESUS: Was misunderstood by many
The COALITION: Are misunderstood by many

JESUS: Endured rejection from those He sought to help
The COALITION: Endure rejection from those they seek to help

JESUS: Was loved by some
The COALITION: Are loved by some

JESUS: Displayed His courage on the earth
The COALITION: Display their courage on the battlefield

JESUS: Fought in enemy territory
The COALITION: Fight in enemy territory

JESUS: Despised and feared by the enemy
The COALITION: Despised and feared by the enemy

JESUS: Was lied about
The COALITION: Are lied about

JESUS: Was beaten and tortured
The COALITION: Some have been beaten and tortured

JESUS: Suffered
The COALITION: Suffer

JESUS: Died
The COALITION: Some have died

JESUS: Conquered
The COALITION: Will conquer

JESUS: Paraded the enemy in a victory march
The COALITION: Will show the world the truth

JESUS: Is respected around the world for His
sacrifice, courage, bravery, selflessness
The COALITION: Are respected by many around the
world for their courage, bravery, selflessness

JESUS: Will receive the fruit of His labors
The COALITION: Will receive honor for their sacrifice

There is a common attribute that runs through all noble warriors. It is the quality of valor that stems from The True Warrior - Jesus Christ. Are our soldiers the savior of Iraq? Certainly not. There is only one Savior, only one Jesus Christ. But I believe they have gone forth in the spirit of Christ - to set the captives free ... and are doing this in the image of Christ who told us to love one another as He has loved us. Do I think that all the members of our military behave like Jesus? Absolutely not! But again, what greater love has any man than that he lay down his life for his brother? There is no love greater than this. It is love that embodies the character and purpose of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is this love I see in the military's actions played out in Iraq every day. May their return be hastened and as victorious as our Lord Jesus Christ.

Dianna

Read more of Dianna's commentary at:
Dianna's Reflections from the Heart.

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