Greater Love Has No One Than This...

Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:12-13).

Jesus sacrificed Himself as He willingly suffered and died upon the cross so that humanity could be saved from the powers of sin, death, and Satan, so that by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone all believers receive forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation. This was a once-for-all sacrifice for all of humanity. He suffered and died for His friends. He suffered and died because He loves all of mankind.

On this Memorial Day, we remember those servicemen and women who lost their lives to protect our temporal freedom of life, liberty, and property. They risked everything for the countless civilians they never knew.  Unlike them, the Holy Trinity inherently knows us all personally (Psalm 139:13-16). Even more so, the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) gives eternal protection and salvation to all who trust in Him.

Known as the sailor’s hymn, “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” proclaims the protecting and saving hand of God. Psalm 5:11 proclaims, “But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may exult in You.” So, no matter our station in life, the Triune God defends us from all harm and danger and from all evil. This means that in life or in death, for those in Christ, nothing can separate us from the love of God.

The first stanza of this hymn is inscribed over the chancel at the United States Naval Academy: “Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm hath bound the restless wave, Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep It’s own appointed limits keep: O hear us when we cry to Thee for those in peril on the sea.” This recalls when Jesus calmed the stormy sea as His disciples were in fear (Mark 4:35-41). So even in the most perilous situation, God is there to calm our fears.

Each stanza of this hymn addresses a different member of the Trinity, but the final stanza praises the whole Trinity in Unity and Unity in Trinity: “O Trinity of love and pow’r, Our people shield in danger’s hour; From rock and tempest, fire and foe, Protect them where so-e’er they go; Thus evermore shall rise to Thee Glad praise from air and land and sea.”

On this Memorial Day, we remember our lost servicemen and women who died for our temporal freedoms, but most especially we are bound to confess our eternal salvation won for all of mankind through the Holy Trinity as God the Father sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to bear our sins and be our Savior. For us, this is only recognizable through the Holy Spirit as He proclaims our salvation through Jesus Christ.

The Almighty God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – bless us and direct us all our days!