Lest We Forget

What description is given of those who receive this honour? “The Victoria Cross for Australia is the pre-eminent award for acts of bravery in wartime and Australia's highest honour. “The Victoria Cross for Australia is awarded to a person who, in the presence of the enemy, displays the most conspicuous gallantry, or daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, ‘gallantry’ means ‘very brave behaviour’, or an ‘act of courtesy.’

Some synonyms of gallantry are: bravery, couragousness, daring, dauntlessness, fearless, greatheartedness, heroism, nerve, prowess, stoutness, valour, virtue.

This honour rewards men of valour, which can be described by the same dictionary as having, “strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness: personal bravery.”

It can be said that the true mark of valour is “the absence of indecision even in the face of death.”

Australian media in the First World War were writing with enthusiasm the bravery of their men fighting for the right of freedom that belongs to every man.

But the Australian public wanted more specific heroes.

Probably one of the most famous heroes of Australian war was John (Jack) Simpson who is said to have saved over 300 men down the notorious Monash Valley, initially carrying the wounded on his shoulders, but eventually finding a donkey, after which he used to carry others to the beach where they could receive medical attention.

There is a particular characteristic of men who receive this highest honour, and that is that they are known because they inspired hope and courage to their fellows under immense stress and pressure.

Lord Moran, a British medical officer from the First World War describes some experiences and observations that he made about men on the battlefield. He especially focused on observing courage, fear, and cowardice. He says,

“I can find little … to support the comfortable creed that all men are heroes. A few men had the stuff of leadership in them; they were like rafts to which all of the rest of humanity clung for support and for hope.”

He also said that “the mask we wear through life drops off.”

An Australian, Captain George Mitchell, made a similar statement, “In battle … the soul of every participant is laid bare for all to see. Battle strips all masks and shams from every one, each having to stand naked to the gaze of his companions.”

Mitchell also described how fear would affect different persons on the battlefield.

“In battle, you will find men firing with sights set wrong. You will find men, stunned by impact of battle, aiming and snapping empty rifles. You will find men affected by the sight of the dead and wounded round them. You will find men in the grip of fear cowering in dugouts, men without fear exposing themselves recklessly. You will find men carrying on who should be in hospital, you will find malingerers ‘swinging the lead’, trying to get into hospital.”

So we see that during combat is where the true character of individuals are revealed, and on what foundation their lives have been built upon up to that point.

It is said that “hope could feed fear” in battle, meaning that hope in saving your life, or in seeing your wife and children could lead you to have more fear when when confronted by the enemy. In WW1 the loss of life among front-line troops was immense, and soldiers were always confronted by their mortality. Many were fatalistic.

Captain George Mitchell’s advice was to: “Throw overboard all faraway things you hold so dear – the thought of some girl, your civil life ambitions, all thoughts of gain. Those things are bridges with the past, a past which is far beyond your reach. But they are bridges over which fear can and will travel all too easily.”

Hand to Hand Combat

As this nation this coming week is stopping to remember those who have served this country in war and in particular as a memorial of WW1 in Gallipoli, there are some things that we can learn as Christians from their experiences and certain values.

We are in the middle of hand to hand combat.

Ephesians 6:10–13 KJV 1900

Ephesians 6:10–18 KJV 1900

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

There is also a high honour to be bestowed, upon those who will reveal gallantry, and valour in the battle of life and death, of good and evil. Instead of a Victoria Cross, it is somthing that is incorruptible. .

2 Timothy 4:6–8 KJV 1900

6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

It is the highest Monarch in this universe who bestows this honour upon His faithful soldiers.

When Paul says that he is, “ready to be offered” it literally means as a libation; appropriate to the sheding of his blood.

“Fought a good fight.” The word for fight is not restricted to that alone, but can imply any competetive contest or striving.

Our Lord encouraged us in this way.

Luke 13:24 KJV 1900

24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Paul wrote on different occasions:

“Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air”

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ.”

“1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

This honour is bestowed upon those who not only strive and fight the good fight of faith, but who also “love His appearing.”

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

The phrase “them also that love” literally means in Greek, “have loved, and do love.”

This love that Paul is referring to is a habitual love and desire for Christ’s appearing.

This love the apostle John demonstrated when at the end of Revelation Christ declared to him, “Surely I come quickly”, and the apostle in loving earnestness replies, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:

The apostle Paul, in the Lord’s army is probably one of the most inspiring soldiers that we read about.

The apostle Paul is someone who truly can be described, as stated earlier, someone who, “in the presence of the enemy, displays the most conspicuous gallantry, or daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty.”

Someone who had valour, “strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness.” .

Romans 8:35–39 KJV 1900

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:35-

He suffered much and stared down the cold face of death, and was not afraid to lose his life for the sake of living and sharing the gospe that it might liberate people from the bondage of sin.

2 Corinthians 11:24–28 KJV 1900

24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

Only someone who has self-sacrifice and extreme devotion to duty, could truly go through what Paul went through.

But even Paul demonstrating this amazing courage and bravery for the sake of the gospel, was not unacquainted with weaknesses.

But here is where Paul’s strength and courage were drawn from.

But just like how the battlefied strips the mask that men wear in the world, and makes them naked to the eyes of their companions, so to fight the good fight of faith in a world layed in sin, will strip a professed Christian’s mask and reveal whether he is a coward or whether is courageous.

The advice of Captain George Mitchell was that hope could feed fear. That in looking at the past luxuries that we possessed, could lead a man to become more fearful in war.

So we are warned in the same fashion from the word of God.

Mark 8:35 KJV 1900

35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

2 Timothy 2:3–4 KJV 1900

3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

2 Timothy 2:3-4

If we have perfect love, fear of losing our own wants, losing the gains of this world will be vanquished.

1 John 4:18 KJV 1900

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

How can we have this perfect love that casts out all fear?

1 John 2:5 KJV 1900

5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

John 14:23 KJV 1900

23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

What happens as we behold God (who is Love) through His word? Our love grows, and fear diminishes.

1 John 4:19 KJV 1900

19 We love him, because he first loved us.

But even Paul demonstrating this amazing courage and bravery for the sake of the gospel, was not unacquainted with weaknesses.

But here is where Paul’s strength and courage were drawn from.

Paul was inspired by a mighty Captain, and he drew his strength from that inspiration.

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 KJV 1900

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

The Bravest of Them All

We look to these men like the first apostles, and early Reformers as inspiring for their faith, courage, hope, love, extreme devotion, and firmness in the face of danger, and even death itself.

And yet it was their Commander and Chief, the Captain of the Lord of hosts, who has inspired these men to wage spiritual warfare against this world, themselves, and the devil.

The quote for the ANZACS to the people of Australia is, “Lest we forget.”

The nation pauses to remember the actions of these soldiers and army officers during their duty.

Yet we too are encouraged to pause every day and remember the bravery, the self-sacrifice, the extreme devotion of of our Lord, the Captain of the Lord of hosts.

Desire of Ages Chapter 8—The Passover Visit

It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit. If we would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of penitence and humiliation at the foot of the cross.

From the manger to the grave, Christ faced the onslaught of the enemy through many different avenues, to tempt and if possible cause Him to fall.

And yet Christ was not afraid.

Isaiah 50:5–10 KJV 1900

5 The Lord God hath opened mine ear, And I was not rebellious, Neither turned away back. 6 I gave my back to the smiters, And my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. 7 For the Lord God will help me; Therefore shall I not be confounded: Therefore have I set my face like a flint, And I know that I shall not be ashamed. 8 He is near that justifieth me; Who will contend with me? let us stand together: Who is mine adversary? let him come near to me. 9 Behold, the Lord God will help me; Who is he that shall condemn me? Lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up. 10 Who is among you that feareth the Lord, That obeyeth the voice of his servant, That walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, And stay upon his God.

Our Commander and Chief is rightly called, “the Lion of the tribe of Judah.”

One aspect of God that inspires me is that in the plan of redemption He was not afraid to humiliate Himself by coming down to this earth in the middle of the mess, He was not insensitive to the needs of those He created, but He came in the garb of humanity, and while men were hiding in their dugouts and trenches, He was seen passing by before them in the front lines, not considering the darts of the enemy, and fought the good fight of faith and encouraged those who believed in Him, to press on and fight.

Deuteronomy 31

Deuteronomy 31:8 KJV 1900

8 And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

The captain of the Lord of hosts encouraged Joshua in the beginning of his leadership when about to conquer the promised land of Canaan and revealed in what way we are to be strong and courageous.

Joshua 1:5–9 KJV 1900

5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

As the ANZAC’s are celebrated because they have fought for the freedom and rights of every individual of this country, so Christ ought to be exalted who has fought the salvation and freedom of every man born into this world.

Isaiah 53:4–6 KJV 1900

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, And carried our sorrows: Yet we did esteem him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was upon him; And with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 61:1 KJV 1900

1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; Because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

Isaiah 61:1

John 8:32 KJV 1900

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:36 KJV 1900

36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Conclusion - Lest we Forget Gethsemane

What did it take to purchase our freedom?

The enemies onslaught to the Lord of hosts was fierce in this last temptation.

Desire of Ages Chapter 74—Gethsemane

Now the tempter had come for the last fearful struggle. For this he had been preparing during the three years of Christ’s ministry. Everything was at stake with him. If he failed here, his hope of mastery was lost; the kingdoms of the world would finally become Christ’s; he himself would be overthrown and cast out. But if Christ could be overcome, the earth would become Satan’s kingdom, and the human race would be forever in his power. With the issues of the conflict before Him, Christ’s soul was filled with dread of separation from God. Satan told Him that if He became the surety for a sinful world, the separation would be eternal. He would be identified with Satan’s kingdom, and would nevermore be one with God.

Desire of Ages Chapter 74—Gethsemane

And what was to be gained by this sacrifice? How hopeless appeared the guilt and ingratitude of men! In its hardest features Satan pressed the situation upon the Redeemer: The people who claim to be above all others in temporal and spiritual advantages have rejected You. They are seeking to destroy You, the foundation, the center and seal of the promises made to them as a peculiar people. One of Your own disciples, who has listened to Your instruction, and has been among the foremost in church activities, will betray You. One of Your most zealous followers will deny You. All will forsake You. Christ’s whole being abhorred the thought. That those whom He had undertaken to save, those whom He loved so much, should unite in the plots of Satan, this pierced His soul. The conflict was terrible. Its measure was the guilt of His nation, of His accusers and betrayer, the guilt of a world lying in wickedness. The sins of men weighed heavily upon Christ, and the sense of God’s wrath against sin was crushing out His life.

Christ in Gethsemane was experiencing the mysterious act of the weight and guilt of the sins of the whole world being laid on Him, as if He were the guilty One.

This agony was immense and caused the Son of God to sweat drops of blood. Yes the wrath was great that Christ was feeling.

The suffering was to such magnitude that from His quivering lips came the cry, “O My Father, if this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done.”

Christ bore on Him visible marks of the battle He was fighting for the freedom of this world.

Isaiah 52:14 KJV 1900

14 As many were astonied at thee; His visage was so marred more than any man, And his form more than the sons of men:

Desire of Ages Chapter 74—Gethsemane

Behold Him contemplating the price to be paid for the human soul. In His agony He clings to the cold ground, as if to prevent Himself from being drawn farther from God. The chilling dew of night falls upon His prostrate form, but He heeds it not.

After contemplating His destiny, the Lion of the tribe of Judah demonstrates His courage, love, and extreme devotion to the plan of redemption.

Desire of Ages Chapter 74—Gethsemane

Three times has He uttered that prayer. Three times has humanity shrunk from the last, crowning sacrifice. But now the history of the human race comes up before the world’s Redeemer. He sees that the transgressors of the law, if left to themselves, must perish. He sees the helplessness of man. He sees the power of sin. The woes and lamentations of a doomed world rise before Him. He beholds its impending fate, and His decision is made. He will save man at any cost to Himself. He accepts His baptism of blood, that through Him perishing millions may gain everlasting life. He has left the courts of heaven, where all is purity, happiness, and glory, to save the one lost sheep, the one world that has fallen by transgression. And He will not turn from His mission. He will become the propitiation of a race that has willed to sin. His prayer now breathes only submission: “If this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done.”

He treads the wine-press alone.

Isaiah 63:3 KJV 1900

3 I have trodden the winepress alone; And of the people there was none with me: For I will tread them in mine anger, And trample them in my fury; And their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, And I will stain all my raiment.

Isaiah 63:3 KJV 1900

Christ was surrounded by legions of satanic forces, and there were none with Him to help Him.

Psalm 69:4 KJV 1900

4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: They that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: Then I restored that which I took not away.

Desire of Ages Chapter 74—Gethsemane

Angels beheld the Saviour’s agony. They saw their Lord enclosed by legions of satanic forces, His nature weighed down with a shuddering, mysterious dread. There was silence in heaven. No harp was touched. Could mortals have viewed the amazement of the angelic host as in silent grief they watched the Father separating His beams of light, love, and glory from His beloved Son, they would better understand how offensive in His sight is sin.

The answer of Christ’s prayer came.

Desire of Ages Chapter 74—Gethsemane

No way of escape was found for the Son of God. In this awful crisis, when everything was at stake, when the mysterious cup trembled in the hand of the sufferer, the heavens opened, a light shone forth amid the stormy darkness of the crisis hour, and the mighty angel who stands in God’s presence, occupying the position from which Satan fell, came to the side of Christ. The angel came not to take the cup from Christ’s hand, but to strengthen Him to drink it, with the assurance of the Father’s love. He came to give power to the divine-human suppliant.

Desire of Ages Chapter 74—Gethsemane

Christ’s agony did not cease, but His depression and discouragement left Him. The storm had in nowise abated, but He who was its object was strengthened to meet its fury. He came forth calm and serene. A heavenly peace rested upon His bloodstained face. He had borne that which no human being could ever bear; for He had tasted the sufferings of death for every man.

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