The late Charlton Heston became widely known during his life for several reasons. In his later years, he became well known for his support of the Second Amendment to the United States Bill of Rights as the president of the National Rifle Association. For me, however, he is best remembered for his immortalized support of the First Amendment when he played Moses in The Ten Commandments. With the wind in his long beard and his staff in hand, his deep voice boomed to Pharaoh the words of the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, "Let My people go, that they may serve Me."
Of course, the enslaved Hebrews did not have the First Amendment to protect their right to the free exercise of their religion, but we do. It came at a terrible price and is preserved still by the lives of our servicemen and women who keep us safe both at home and abroad. Freedom always comes at a price to someone.
As Americans, it is easy to forget the simple freedoms we enjoy when our generation silences the offensive realities of life, and the next generation sleeps through its history classes. As Christians, it's easy to forget the forgiveness that was won for us as our generation slips out the Church's back door, and the next generation neglects to even approach her door. How thankful we can be that Christ has come to set us free from the bondage of sin and death.
Freedom and forgiveness have come at a price-maybe not to you-but certainly to our crucified Lord. This Lenten season, let us recall the supreme price He paid for our forgiveness and the liberation we have from sin's damnation on account of what Christ Jesus has done for us. Today, we are free, and we pray the coming generations remain free to serve the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
THE PRAYER: Gracious Lord, preserve the freedom we have to worship You and remind us of the gifts You give to us daily. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Written by Pastor Matt Wurm
Trinity Lutheran Church - Bemidji, Minnesota
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