July 2023
Joh 8:34-36
Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
In a couple of days we will be celebrating the 4th of July, which will be the 247th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. As we become more historically distant from the actual events of the founding of the USA, it is easy for the celebrations to become detached from their historical significance. We have to remind ourselves of the tremendous sacrifice, courage, and clarity of purpose which were required from not only the founding fathers with whom we are all familiar, but also the ordinary citizen and soldier whose name goes unremembered. Celebrating national accomplishments and ideals is a civic virtue and entirely appropriate for a republic such as ours to rehearse and celebrate.
How much more ought the church to strive to remember the events of 2,000 years ago, when a far greater and lasting freedom was purchased at an even greater sacrifice. Yes, it was a greater sacrifice than even the death of a soldier. For the soldier would have died at some point anyway, and his early death robbed him of a few decades of life that would have otherwise been his. But the Captain of our Salvation stepped out of eternity into time for the express purpose of tasting death for every man. He did not have to die at all, much less die the painful and shameful death of crucifixion. The soldier died that we might live our earthly lives free from tyranny, but our Savior died that we might have everlasting life, free from the bondage of sin.
On the 4th of July, we will salute the flag that stands for our great Republic. But this morning, as on so many mornings, the citizens of heaven raise the blood of the New Covenant and taste the Bread of Life to remember that every earthly slave who has been bought by the blood of Christ has more liberty than the freest citizen of any earthly democracy who is still enslaved to sin. So come hungry, and welcome to Christ.
Nathan Writes 