A Memorial to Our Warrior King who Died for Us
His humble beginnings remind us of His famous father, David the Bethlehemite (2 Sam). David’s heart for God was only surpassed by our Dread Champion (Jer 20:11), who had the very heart of God. Here is the One who always told the truth, which was like a double-edged sword in His mouth (Heb 4:12), cutting down the lies of His opponents (Jn 8:44; Eph 6:12; Rev 19:13, 15).
At the same time, the condescension of the Son of God from the heights of heaven has shown us a sacrificial love never known before (Jn 15:20; Phil 2:5–11). His battle was not against flesh and blood in His first advent (Eph 6:12). Rather, His first mission was to defeat death itself. It cost Him His own life.
Our warrior King has the name above every other name (Phil 2:9); and it was His resurrection from the dead that told of His victorious work in life and death (Acts 17:31; 2 Cor 7:14). Indeed, Hs is risen from the dead (Mt 28:6). Jesus Christ is the first fruit of this reality (1 Cor 15:20). Soon, those for whom He died will rise up to join Him in the glories of our God (Rom 8:30; 1 Thess 4:13–5:11; Rev 22:5).
In coming to rescue those who were given to Him by God the Father (Jn 6:37), Jesus laid down His life (Mt 1:21; Jn 10:11, 15). He knows the sheep of His pasture (Ps 23; 100:3; 2 Tim 2:19), and in gathering each one into His flock, His promise is to lose none (Jn 10:28–29; Rom 8:35–39). He will find each one. When the last of the elect is brought into the fold, as a work of the Spirit, through the preaching of the Word, then the end will come (Mt 24:14; Mk 16:15).
Our Great Shepherd leads us on His triumphant way of deliverance (Jn 14:6; 2 Cor 7:14). We join in His victory by joining in His death, burial, and resurrection (Rom 6:1–11). His Spirit accomplishes this for each elect soul (Mt 3:11; Acts 2:38; 10:47; 11:16). This work, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, brings the soul from death (Eph 2:1) to life (Eph 2:5; Col 2:13) through regeneration, which is the Spirit causing the elect redeemed to be born again of God (Jn 3:1–8; 1 Pet 1:3).
The death of death in the death of Christ has its first application in the soul of each beloved saint, but the promise of resurrection bodies remains (1 Cor 15). The climactic day of human history awaits the return of Him who is faithful and true (Rev 3:14; 19:11). On that day of consummation for this fallen world of sin, the Judge of the living and the dead will appear in great glory (Acts 10:42; 17:31; 2 Tim 4:1; 1 Pet 4:5) for everyone to see with physical eyes (Zech 12:10).
The Day of Judgment is the day of God’s ultimate vengeance against all who were unrighteous in this life (Rom 12:19). The wrath of God will be unleashed against rebel sinners (Rev 19:11–21), even as our Savior gathers up His bride from the four winds (Mt 24:31; Mk 13:27). His elect angels will bring His elect people to Him — body and soul.
The day of Christ’s return is resurrection day for all people, some to eternal life in glorified bodies and most to final judgment (Jn 5:28–29; Rev 20:11). My dear reader, we soberly and solemnly remember those who gave their lives for the cause of public safety or national security. These are noble men and women for sure. They served, even to illustrate Jesus’ own words, “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (Jn 15:13).”
These words of Jesus are some of the best, however, to describe Jesus Himself in relationship to His church (Rom 5:8; Eph 5:25). The motive in the heart of Christ was love for those He saved in His death on the cross, known to Him before Creation (Rev 5:6, 12; 13:8; 17:8). We know that God is love (1 Jn 4:8), and love gives (1 Jn 3:16–17). Jesus gave 100% when He gave His life as a substitute on behalf of His holy nation of people (1 Pet 2:9, 24).
The world does not fear Christ because He is often portrayed as meek and mild. Indeed, He Himself is grace and truth brought to His own in goodness, kindness, and gentleness (Jn 1:14, 17). The world must know that He is also holy (Mk 1:24; Lk 4:34). Jesus Christ, the righteous (1 Jn 2:1), is the just Judge to whom all authority has been given (Mt 28:18). He judges sinners in perfect righteousness (2 Tim 4:8; Rev 19:11).
When the preacher warns people of God’s hatred of sinners (Ps 5:5; 7:11; 11:5), he is often dismissed. When the preacher warns people of the wrath of the Lamb and the imperative for them to flee the wrath to come (Mt 3:7; Lk 3:7), the man of God is considered a lunatic.
Men and women of the world skylark in vanity, saying, “Let us BBQ, get drunk, and have fun in the boat…for tomorrow we die!” The people err because they do not know the Scriptures (Mt 22:29; Mk 12:24). If they had the Spirit of Christ (Rom 8:9), they would have the Word of truth (Jn 8:47), but those without these are vessels of wrath prepared for destruction (Rom 9:22). They are storing up wrath for themselves for the day of wrath (Rom 2:5).
The remembrancer, lest we forget, is that Christ died for the ungodly (Rom 5:6), the Just for the unjust (1 Pet 3:18), who became the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor 5:21), who bought them for a price with His precious blood (1 Cor 6:20; 7:23; 1 Pet 1:18–19). If Christ is not raised from the dead, then our faith is in vain (1 Cor 15:14), but we declare to you that Jesus is alive! Moreover, He rules and reigns over all as the Lord of all (Ex 15:18; Ps 146:10; Dan 4:3; Lk 1:33; Acts 10:36; Rev 11:15; 22:5).
Dear friend, while His wrath is held back from you…kiss the Son (Ps 2:12)! In all humility learn who you are dealing with (Jas 4:6; 1 Pet 5:5–6). Come to Him as He calls to His sheep to follow Him (Jn 10:16). Call back to Him in prayer (Joel 2:32; Rom 10:13) and listen to His words from the Bible, for they are life to those who believe them and if you do believe them, it was His grace that made you believe them (Rom 12:3; Gal 3:22; Eph 2:8–9; Phil 1:29; 2 Pet 1:1).
Therefore, give thanks to Him, without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17), who delivers you from the wrath of God to come (1 Thess 1:10). He is our warrior King, who has conquered sin, death, the devil, and the world aligned against Him. Are you with Him or against Him? Is He for you or against you? The day of revelation is when all things will be revealed. Pledge your allegiance, today, and may today be the day of your salvation (2 Cor 6:2).
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
May 31, 2021
