I read a story this week about the battle at Antietam Creek near Sharpsburg, Md. This battle was the bloodiest in U.S. history, leaving 23,000 casualties on a single day, Sept. 17, 1862. And yet, it might never have happened, but for what has been called a “’freakish’ twist of fate.” Days earlier, copies of General Robert E. Lee’s brilliant invasion orders, wrapped around cigars, had accidentally fallen in a field. Those orders were found by Union infantrymen and passed up the chain of command. Some historians say that Antietam was “THE” deciding battle of the civil war. But for the carelessness with something so precious, who knows what the outcome would have been of that battle and the whole war?
Before He was betrayed and crucified, Jesus disclosed His battle plans to the people. He told them that if they destroyed His body (the temple), He would raise it up in 3 days (John 2:19). There were some who thought they had secured vital battle plans to pass on to His enemies. At His trial, there were some who exaggerated and gave false testimony, saying He had threatened the physical temple (Mark 14:58). Of course, these battle plans were useless to the enemy because they couldn’t decipher what He meant. Though crucified, Christ was still victorious over death, appearing to have lost a battle, but winning the war.
Christians have been entrusted with something so precious – the word of God. And it isn’t just a battle or a war that is on the line, but it is the fate of our loved ones and everything we hold dear. The whole world is in a battle with sin and we have been given a plan for victory. Will we treat it carelessly and leave it behind in a field for the enemy to use against us? Or will we guard it and protect it with our very lives? The greatest tragedy of human loss in our nation’s history can possibly be traced to carelessness, but that day when millions will be called into judgment will be far worse if we fail to follow and protect the victory plan!
