Today is Veteran’s Day. A day we recognize those who sacrificed for all of our freedoms. Many made the ultimate sacrifice. We are grateful. We tend to just tool through life doing our thing without ever thinking about the ones who cleared the path so that we can do our thing. We honor today those who cleared the path.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.
That’s the last paragraph of the Declaration of Independence. Since 1776, and before, scores have been clearing our path so we can do what we do. Cleared the path for independence. Cleared the path of oppression. Cleared the path of tyranny. Cleared the path for safety. Cleared the path for democracy.
There’s been a whole lot of path clearing going on and we’ve all played a part in some way. However, the most important paths aren’t the ones that were cleared “for,” “of,” or “from.” The most important path cleared was “to.” The path “to” the cross. Jesus cleared the way for us for eternal life. It seems odd to say that the ultimate freedom was when Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice, doesn’t it? But, isn’t that what Veteran’s do? Sacrifice themselves for others? Earthly Veterans have sacrificed their lives to give us freedom here on earth. Jesus sacrificed His life to give us eternal freedom.
Veteran’s cleared the path from a king who “plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.” Jesus cleared the path from the one who plunders, ravages, burns, and destroys the lives of people here on earth.
The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Psalm 121:7-8
So, maybe today is the day we should think about the One who walked the path “to” the cross so that we would know The Way for eternity.