Honoring the Unknown

On this day in history, “October 24, 1921, in the French town of Chalons-sur-Marne, an American sergeant selected the body of the first “Unknown Soldier” to be honored among the approximately 77,000 United States servicemen killed on the Western Front during World War I.”

The web page history.com relates the story of how this ”unknown soldier” was chosen by Sergeant Edward Younger. There were numerous bodies of soldiers recovered with no indication of name, rank, or organization. Four were chosen, placed in caskets and brought to the Hotel de Ville.

Younger entered the room with “spray of white roses with which to mark the chosen casket.” After circling the caskets three times, he placed the flowers on the “third casket from the left,” stood at attention, and saluted.

The body was then returned to the United States crossing the Atlantic via the cruiser Olympia. Buried in Arlington National Cemetery, the grave stone bears the inscription “An Unknown American who gave his life in the World War.”

Of course, “The Unknown Solider” is representative of all those unknown and unnamed who gave their lives in service to their country and the cause of freedom. But, know this. They are not unknown to God. He knows their names. Their sacrifice. And their heroism.

In a similar way, this reminds us of so many who are unknown to the world at large who go about their business everyday with little or no fanfare. When you think of the turmoil, divisiveness, and problems facing our nation, you wonder how do we function? What holds it together? What keeps it running? It’s the “unknown” people who get up every day and go to work, raise families, care about their neighbor, and serve others. Teachers. Truck Divers. Doctors. Nurses. Policemen. Factor workers. Farmers. Firefighters. Engineers. Entrepreneurs. Accountants. Administrative Assistants. Janitors. Sanitation workers. Computer programers. Longshoremen. And so many, many more.

In spite of the dysfunction in Washington, the polarization of our political parties, and the dereliction of duty by too many in positions of power, our economy, culture and country continue because of the common, everyday, ordinary folks who make it work.

Furthermore, I think of so many who are volunteering their time, contributing their money, and working tirelessly to aid those affected by the recent storms from Florida to North Carolina. Often it’s not the government agencies assigned to bring aid; it’s neighbor helping neighbor. It’s good hearted folks loading up trucks and trailers with needed supplies, driving hundreds of miles, to bring supplies to hurting people in rural areas.

The same way the Lord’s work continues to prosper and flourish throughout the land by the commitment of pastors, preachers, Bible teachers, and just ordinary folks in the pew who work to make it happen. There are so many little churches whose members are shining a light in their communities that no one has ever heard of. Some in larger churches may say these little groups are struggling. But as my friend and preaching colleague Mike Stephens once quipped, “They may be struggling to reach 200, but they’re not struggling spiritually.” These Christians may be unknown to the world, but God knows them.

There always have been “unknown” spiritual heroes. The Bible records the names of kings, prophets, preachers and apostles well known to us. Abraham. Joseph. Moses. David. Solomon. Peter. Paul. And John. But what about all the others? When the persecution scattered the Jerusalem Christians, the Bible says, “they went everywhere preaching the Word” (Ax. 8:4). Who? They’re unnamed. Unknown. Ordinary Christians. But God knows.

After specifically naming those who “by faith” served God, the Hebrew writer ends chapter 11, by honoring those “unknown” and unnamed heroes this way.

Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trials of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented — of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. (Heb. 11:36-38).

If you are a Christian today, it’s because of a family member, friend, neighbor, or preacher who taught you the gospel. But who taught them? And who taught those who taught them? And what about the congregation where you worship? Who’s responsible for its beginning? No doubt, Christians long ago forgotten. But their names are known to God.

And so, as we remember “the unknown soldier,” we honor all those who have served and sacrificed for our country, the needs of humanity and the cause of Christ. For those, laboring in obscurity, don’t grow weary in doing good. You’re making a difference, whether you know it or not. Regardless if you’re recognized or not.

Finally always remember, “the Lord knows those who are His” (2 Tim. 2:19).

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman