Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D. C. is sacred ground to Americans. Its genesis was the anger and brutality of the Civil War. In retribution for General Robert E. Lee’s loyalty to his home state of Virginia, the Union confiscated the Custis-Lee Mansion overlooking the center of Washington, D.C. The dead of the first Battle of Bull Run were buried in the front yard of the estate so the Lees could never again live there. But out of vengeance grew a place of honor and respect. Over the past 149 years multitudes of courageous men and women have been laid to rest on these beautiful grounds.
Hundreds of thousands of people honoring commitment and sacrifice make pilgrimages to Arlington.
The most impressive ceremony there is the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Those who carry out this duty are the elite of the Old Guard, volunteers chosen to go through a rigorous regimen culminating in the awarding of the badge of Tomb Guard which, once earned, they retain unless they dishonor it with their conduct.
Christians volunteer as well. Through Jesus, who was set aside from “before the foundation of the world” (1 Peter 1:20, KJV) we are brought to God through belief in the justifying power of his blood. As a result we are to be holy (hagios), separated for holy work. The one who called us is holy (see Leviticus 11:44, 19:2 and 20:7) so we are to live our lives in an attitude of holy awe toward our heavenly Father “in all manner of living.” The conduct of the Tomb Guards must be impeccable, on and off duty, for the rest of their lives. If this is the case for these men and women separated out from among all soldiers, how much more should our lives be without spot or blemish because we have been ransomed, not with human blood but with that of the Son of God. |L
Richard F. Wilson has been President of College of the Scriptures in Louisville, Kentucky for the past seven years. During that time he has served as chief administrator, professor, and acting dean. Richard and his wife Nancy have two daughters and currently make their home near Springville, Indiana.
