No nation created in the image of God is evil, no matter how misguided. Jesus’ resurrection reminds us that conflict, even to death, is not the end.
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Reflecting on War and Memory
Since the first and second World Wars, wars have continued to plague our world.
I remember the Korean War from when I was a child, as well as the Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq wars. My own continent has witnessed countless conflicts, too many to count.
Yet, the picture says, “Lest We Forget.” What have we forgotten?
The Forgotten Temples and Battles
The prophet Hagai tells of a time following a war that destroyed Jerusalem. Some people have returned to Jerusalem and prospered from post-war commerce. They are blessed with wealth and comfort. They live in luxurious houses filled with gold and silver.
Yet, the temple destroyed in the war, remains untouched, its reconstruction forgotten.
God commanded through Hagai, reminding the people of the splendor of the house Solomon built—a place that drew visitors from far and wide.
Similarly, I ponder the destruction faced by my brothers and sisters in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa.
As they rebuild, will they forsake their forefathers’ houses, or will they strive to restore them to a splendor greater than before?
Remembering the Human Cost of War
Wars, wars, and more wars. As a musician once sang—was it Jimmy Cliff?—there’s war everywhere: east, west, south. It takes only two people to start a war.
The historical battles were often sparked by a handful, growing into world wars.
In my family’s history, the British came to Ghana, conscripted my uncles, and sent them to foreign lands to fight wars they knew nothing about. Some were killed, some returned, others returned but were changed forever—mad, as they said.
The battles persist, even within our own communities. As with the Sadducees who denied the resurrection, and the Pharisees who embraced it, we are riven by divisions that lead us too often to view others as evil to be wiped out, rather than as human beings created in the image of God who hold opinions with which we disagree.
The Resurrection Debate and Our Belief
In one notable incident, Paul, arrested and brought to trial, declared that his sole crime was his belief in the resurrection. This belief divided the panel of judges comprised of Sadducees and Pharisees, leading to his release.
It echoes in First Corinthians chapter 15, where Paul addressed such debates in Corinthians: “Now, if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection?”
These debates remain central to our faith. If Christ has not risen, then what basis do we have for our beliefs? Our faith declares that Christ lived, died, and was resurrected. Without resurrection, there is no Christianity, and we would be liars claiming Christ was never raised.
Human Loss and the Cost of Forgetting
As we commemorate Remembrance Day each year, we revisit the devastation of past wars—not just of buildings, but of human lives, irreplaceable and sacred.
In wars, those who are not fighting often suffer most, particularly women and children. We see similar tragedies in Gaza and Western Sudan, where these vulnerable groups are disproportionately affected.
Yet arms and weapons continue to flow, manufactured and bought elsewhere, perpetuating the cycle of violence among the beings created in God’s own image.
Our Role as Ambassadors of Peace
As ambassadors of reconciliation, it’s our responsibility not to exacerbate conflicts but to mediate and bring peace. When two or three people quarrel, it can escalate into something far worse. Our intervention should be for peace, not war.
Let us pray that God grants our leaders the memory of past horrors, guiding us away from further bloodshed and towards peace.
Conclusion: Remember and Forgive
On Remembrance Day, we honor those who have fallen, remembering not just the wars but the peace we are tasked with creating.
Our forefathers followed commands to fight; we must now follow a divine command to mend and heal.
By recalling the resurrection, we find purpose—accounting for our deeds, not in warfare but as peacemakers. As ambassadors for Christ, we are tasked with this holy mission.
In the name of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.