All glory, honor, and praise to “Jesus Christ …the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.” (Rev.1:5).
Lord Jesus, on this Memorial Day weekend in the USA, we give due honor to those who sacrificed their lives for our local and global freedom and peace. How we long for the Day of no more wars, or even rumor of wars. The Scriptures which frame our prayer today remind us that you are the ultimate Serviceman—for you gave your life to secure our eternal freedom, personal and cosmic peace. Only you can put an end to all wars and strife, meanness and madness, clenched fists and nuclear arms.
Thank you for winning the war that ends all wars. We will never over-love you, Jesus—be too preoccupied or enthralled with you. For you love us as no one ever has, ever will, or ever could. You are, as John wrote, “the firstborn from the dead”—whose resurrection secured ours. You are the “faithful witness”—the “Yes!” and fulfiller of every promise God has made (2Cor.1:20)—promises about our personal salvation, and promises about our coming life in the new heaven and new earth (Rev.21:1-22:6).
And in this very moment, Jesus you are “the ruler of the kings of the earth”—each and all of them. Faith not fear, peace not worry; international mission not ingrown nationalism; sacrificial loving not privatized living are the order of this day and every day, all the way Home. Hallelujah, and So Very Amen.