Missing in Action

At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:22-29 ESV).

As I continue my “tour” of some of the sites of Washington D.C., I can’t help but say the Veteran’s War Memorials are very striking. They are all impressive as they remind me of the incredible sacrifices that have been made by so many men and women on our behalf. Just one of those is the Korean War Veterans Memorial which is located near the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall. It was dedicated on July 27, 1995. The memorial commemorates the sacrifices of the 5.8 million Americans who served in the U.S. armed services during the three-year period of the Korean War. From June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953, 54,246 Americans died, and 8,200 were listed as missing in action, or lost or buried at sea at the Honolulu Memorial. In addition 103,284 were wounded during the conflict. The 19 stainless steel statues are approximately 7-feet tall and represent an ethnic cross section of America. The advance party has 14 Army, three Marine, one Navy and one Air Force members. The statues stand in patches of juniper bushes and are separated by polished granite strips, which give a semblance of order and symbolize the rice paddies of Korea. The troops wear ponchos covering their weapons and equipment. They seem to blow in the cold winds of Korea. The death toll and the missing in action of that war are shocking to me. It led me to our reading today. Jesus is very clear in declaring not one of his followers will be lost. No matter how fierce the battles we find ourselves engaged in; no matter how great our enemy seems; no matter how much we feel outnumbered; we cannot be lost. That undeniable truth can give us great comfort in the path we are called to walk in this life. Jesus did not promise to shield us from the conflict and battles of this world; he did promise to escort us safely home. That promise will be kept. He has proven it in his death and resurrection. Whatever you may be facing today, take heart, it will not deny you safe passage home.