“Never Have So Few…”

A great statesman once said, “Never have so few given so much for so many.”  This comment was offered as a commentary of the sacrifice some soldiers offered in giving their lives for the freedom of their country.

An old saying is, “never say ‘never’.”  That would have been a good rule for that statesman.  He undoubtedly overlooked a sacrifice of “one” who offered himself, not just for one generation of one nation, but for all generations of all nations since the beginning of time.  The freedom that one man offered was not just for political freedom either but for the freedom of the greatest of all oppression – sin!

It is a good thing to eulogize great deeds of men.  I would not want to minimize the sacrifice that was made at that time nor at anytime when brave men and women die for their country.  I only want to put them into proper perspective.  Little matters in life if I am not free from sin.  I may be rich, powerful, politically free, healthy and/or popular, but if I am not a servant of Christ all that I have is this life!  That can be most disastrous.  Life on earth can be short, disappointing and painful.  I must look beyond what this life offers.

Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life …” (John 14:6).  He alone offers the greatest gift of sacrifice available to humans (Hebrews 10:8-10).  His life was not one of riches, political power or fame, yet His life has had the greatest impact on the history of humanity.  The greatest good that any person can do is to love God and do good to his neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39).  Surely Jesus is the perfect example of this (l Peter 2:21-24), as He sought first to do God’s will (John 4:34; 17:4) and to save humankind (Luke 19:10).  Who among us can claim such lifetime achievements?  All the good that humans can do cannot merit the soul’s salvation.  Jesus said,

“blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:28)

and again,

“So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants.  We have done what was our duty to do’.” (Luke 17:10).

It is only by God’s grace, in sending His only begotten son, that we have any hope for salvation (Ephesians 2:8; John 3:16; Romans 8:24).

Let us put sacrificial acts into perspective.  There is only one name that can save and that is Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12).  Won’t you submit yourself to Jesus as Lord, being baptized into His death that you might walk in a new life? (Romans 6:3-4).  Never has one given so much for so many!