Stephen
Terry, Director
The
Everlasting Gospel
Commentary
for the April 15, 2023, Sabbath School Lesson
"Beloved, think it not strange
concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as
though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are
partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye
may be glad also with exceeding joy." 1 Peter
4:12-13, KJV
World War I was supposed to be the war to
end all wars, while failing to accomplish that as evidenced by the many wars,
including another global conflict only a little over two decades later, it was
the last war to fall short of the concept of total war introduced in World War
II. The use of poisonous gases such as mustard gas was horrific, but nowhere
near the horror level of carpet bombings of cities that racked up hundreds of
thousands of German civilian casualties, nor the firebombing of Tokyo, followed
by the nuclear devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Total war meant civilians
were legitimate targets because they supplied the labor that powered the
industrial war machine. Despite the use of gases and the widespread use of
machine guns that could mow down hundreds in minutes, World War I was in some
ways our last attempt at a "gallant" war. Unless engaged in combat activities
or espionage, civilians were for the most part respected as non-combatants.
Enemy troops when captured were also not generally tortured or executed, being
seen as chivalrous equals on the battlefield. Despite this, almost ten million
military casualties occurred in the First World War. It is hard to imagine that
after such a bloodletting that the world could afford the deaths of another
fifteen million soldiers in World War II. If the United States alone were to
lose twenty-five million soldiers, that would equal every fifth man, woman, and
child based on the population at the time of the second world war. Of course,
the casualties were shared globally, but this gives us an idea of the
staggering death toll.
For this commentary, I want to focus on a
dramatic episode that took place during World War I. The location was the
Argonne Forest, and the time was a year and a half after the United States
entered the war, October 1918. To break the stalemate of grinding trench
warfare, an attack was ordered into the Argonne Forest to penetrate the German
lines and capture a mill at Charlevaux. Two battalions of the American 77th
Division were to spearhead the attack supported by the French on their left and
other American units on their right. They successfully penetrated deep into
German territory, but their support on both flanks was driven back, leaving
them isolated on a hill and surrounded by German units. The American units were
made up of young men, many immigrants, who had learned to survive on the
scrappy streets of New York. They dug in for a fight. Messengers who tried to
get through to seek reinforcements were either killed or captured. Only carrier
pigeons were able to get messages to friendly lines. Unfortunately, one message
requesting artillery support was misunderstood, and friendly fire shells began
to rain down on the trapped battalions instead of the enemy. In a desperate
attempt to stop the friendly fire, their last pigeon, Cher Ami, was sent
with a message revealing the error.
Despite German attempts to down the bird,
it got through with the message, even though it had been shot in the breast and
had one leg shot off. Tended to by medics and brought back to the United States
by General Pershing, he succumbed to his battle wounds eight months later.
Considered a hero of the action, Cher Ami received several honors,
including the French Croix de Guerre. After his death, he was mounted by
taxidermists and is on display at the National Museum of Natural History.
A week after they entered the
encirclement, after running low on ammunition and refusing offers to surrender,
a relief column made it through to the trapped battalions, and a general
offensive by reinforced elements of the 77th Division drove the Germans back.
Of the 545 men who marched toward the objective, Charlevaux, only 194 were
uninjured. Seven men received the Medal of Honor for their actions during the
encirclement. Though actually elements of two battalions, the surrounded
American troops became popularly known as the Lost Battalion, honored for their
bravery and legendary for their defense.
I do not share this because there is
glory in warfare where brother slays brother, often in unimaginable and cruel
ways. I share it because the Bible tells us we are at war with the powers of
darkness. We have an objective to obtain. The entire world is to receive the
good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. It is God's will that everyone can
receive that salvation, not at the point of a sword as the conquistadores
were known to do, but as a free choice without compulsion. At times, the
opposition is so great to impede reaching that goal that it seems we are
encircled and lost like the battalion. As a result of enemy attacks, we may see
our fellows fall as casualties, get captured, become severely wounded, or go
missing, some even going over to the enemy. Nonetheless, we continue with the
mission, knowing that we are not abandoned, relief is on its way. We need only
hold fast to the mission. There is no mistaking the desperate nature of the
struggle. Even Jesus questioned whether when he returned, he would find any
faithful remaining.[i]
The stress of battle, a condition leading
to what has become recognized as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, can cause us
to become indifferent to the sufferings of others even to the point of doing
what we might to enhance that suffering. Our hearts can grow cold to those of
humanity whom we call the enemy. But Jesus reminded us that it is those who can
keep on loving despite the evil in the world that will be saved.[ii] Too often,
we are tempted to save our brothers and sisters by condemning them, but this is
not the work of Jesus. He did not come to condemn the world but to save it.[iii] The sad
result of a condemning spirit is that eventually it is not only wielded as a
weapon against non-Christians. It also comes to be used against our brothers
and sisters in the kingdom. But this is not God's work we are engaged in when
we do this. The Bible tells us that it is the Devil who is the accuser of the
brethren.[iv] His words
emerge from our mouths when we pursue this baleful course. When we do so, we
soon progress to half-truths and innuendos to set their character in stark
contrast to our own. Yet, we are not without sin.[v] We have no
right to highlight someone else's sin as more egregious than our own. All sin
leads to death,[vi]
and what advantage is there in one pointing out another's fatal wound while
ignoring their own? Both will die, loved but ignorant of the love of God that
is theirs.
Today, I was in a conversation with
someone who did not feel they could continue as a Christian because of the
abuse and lack of love he had received from other Christians. When he said
this, someone interjected into the conversation that he would go to Hell if he
abandoned Christianity. If this person sought to manipulate the man through
fear of Hell, he should be disabused of that idea. It only confirmed the
harshness that was driving someone away from Christ. In love there is no
manipulation through fear. Christ does not drive fearful humanity to worship
him. He said that when he is lifted on the cross, he will draw all to him.[vii] Those who
recognize the love of that act feel the attraction of that love. When we
realize the tremendous love that inspired that sacrifice, we tremble to think
of anyone standing between someone he died for and Jesus, driving them away by
condemning them and pointing out that they are not worthy to even approach
Jesus.
When we see Cher Ami mounted on
his stand in the museum without knowing his story, we see only a flawed bird,
missing a leg and wonder why they could not find a better specimen to display.
But when we know the story, we understand he is as he is for what he has been
through. The battles have marred and marked him, replacing the perfection of
his creation with reminders that warfare is ugly and wounds each of us in many
ways. Some of those wounds are obvious, others may be deep within the heart.
This is how it is with each of us. Sometimes the wounds hurt us so deeply that
we cry out in ways that make it hard to hear anything else. But patience and
love can still bring about healing. It will not happen overnight. It does not
miraculously happen because someone was dunked under the water by a preacher.
That is only the beginning. It is a life-long process. If we are honest with
ourselves, we will admit that we are growing daily to be all that God wants us
to enjoy, also. We are not yet what we will be, and neither is anyone else.
Rather than a reason for condemnation, there is tremendous hope in that, and
the relief column is coming.