April 3, 2012
| From Pastor Roger - The empty tomb Every 30 minutes in the winter and every hour in the warmer months, a solemn ritual takes place at Arlington National Cemetery at the Tomb of the Unknowns. There is a symbolic meaning to nearly every aspect of the ritual, but it is still conducted in accordance with Army regulations. At any time, the Tomb Guard will confront the watching crowd to command respectful behavior. The respect that is shown to the remains housed in the tomb is legendary. The Tomb Guards show up for duty no matter how bad the weather – no stopping for heat waves, ice storms, or big storms. Only a small number of those who apply pass the test to enter into training for this special position. And an even smaller number of those who complete training actually make the cut to be a Tomb Guard. The Tomb Guard badge is the second rarest award in the US Army. Their service record must be without blemish. The attention to detail in the care of their uniform is only surpassed by the vow they take to live their life, for the rest of their life, in keeping with the honor and tradition of the Tomb guards. If they fail, at any time in their life, their name can be removed from the honor wall. Each guard spends an average of six hours a day preparing his/her uniform, have a hair cut the day before, participate in physical training as well as other regimental functions. It would take a lot of space to cover every step of the training and preparation for the Tomb Guard, but I am struck by a couple of things. The Tomb Guard is a highly coveted position, even with the demanding training and daily preparation, the lifetime vow of how they will live their lives, bad weather and all of the other challenges they face. And they do it willingly. Those who want to be Tomb Guards for the prestige of the post rarely make it. The ones who succeed have genuine respect for the fallen comrades they guard. Why is it sometimes difficult for us to live our lives with honor and respect for the God who has given so much for us? One more thing: Scientific advances have made it possible to identify the unknown soldier from the Vietnam war. His remains were removed and returned to his family. There are still remains from earlier wars, yet, the Tomb Guard would willingly guard an empty tomb out of respect for the ultimate sacrifice paid by these men. We celebrate an empty tomb this weekend. It represents the ultimate sacrifice paid for all of humanity. And it represents the ultimate honor given to us – we get to live eternally because Christ chose to die. I pray that we willingly treat the sacrifice of Calvary and the glory of the resurrection with no less respect and honor as the Tomb Guards show to their fallen comrades-in-arms. 1 Thessalonians 5:9: For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. | What's happening >Apr. 7, 7:30 pm, a special showing of the movie "Forks over Knives." >Sabbath, Apr. 14, 4:30 pm, Oregon Adventist Men's Chorus. Free, reservations recommended. www.oamc.org Pick up a LIFE Journal bookmark at the greeter's desk in the foyer. >Future concerts: THIS WEEK Wednesday, Apr. 4
NEXT WEEK Monday, Apr. 9 Tuesday, Apr. 10
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