Vietnam Veterans Memorial

In Memory

A.R. "Ross" Gallaher and his family viewed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial while visiting the United States Capitol a few years ago. As they observed the Memorial, he also took note of three groups of people that also viewed the Memorial.

The first group casually viewed the Memorial. They seemed amazed at the vast number of names (58,272 names as of May 2011), but they did not take the time to take a closer look.

The second group took a closer look. They read through some of the list of names on at least one of the black granite walls, each wall measuring 247.75 feet in length. They looked to see if they recognized any of the names.

The third group comprised those who looked most intently at the Memorial. These were those who had lost loved ones in the conflict, either confirmed to be KIA (Killed in Action) or classified as MIA (Missing in Action). They not only found the name of their loved one, they touched - even caressed - those names engraved in the stone in a deliberate, thoughtful, and loving way. Some lit a candle or presented a flower at the base of the Memorial in memory of their loved one.

Although the original does not exist, many memorial replicas have been made of a CROSS.. that stood between two other crosses at a place called Golgotha outside Jerusalem in the 1st Century.

Those who consider that cross may be grouped similarly to those whom Gallaher viewed at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Some casually "view" the cross without considering its extreme and eternal relevance.

Others "take a closer look" and recognize it as a religious symbol that is often hung on a wall or worn as a necklace by those who profess to follow the One who died on the cross.

Some recognize the cross for what it truly was: an instrument of execution that in one particular case also portrayed the incredible love of God.

It was "wicked men" who cried out for the crucifixion of Jesus, the sinless Son of God. Yet Peter said that Jesus' death on the cross was also according to the "determined purpose and foreknowledge of God" (Acts 2:23).

As Jesus hung on the cross - not for His sins but for OURS - God "made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21). He died FOR US so that we might have salvation from sin and receive the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23).

God will save those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38). The atoning blood that Jesus shed in His death will continue to cleanse those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7).

Don't ignore it or give it a passing thought. Consider the cross of Christ. Recognize it for what it is: God's judgment against sin and His provision for our salvation.

Won't YOU look to the cross and accept the salvation that it made available by submitting your life to the Savior on His terms?

David Sargent