Thought for the Month - April 2005

Victoria Cross - By Pastor Ian Wilson

A British soldier who saved 30 members of his unit from an ambush in Iraq has been awarded the first Victoria Cross for more than 20 years.

Private Johnson Beharry, 25, of the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment 1st Battalion, twice saved the lives of colleagues while under enemy fire. He is still recovering from head injuries caused by a rocket-propelled grenade attack on his vehicle in which he managed to guide the vehicle to safety despite his wounds.

The Victoria Cross is Britain’s highest award for gallantry in battle. The medal was born in the carnage of the Crimean War, even though hostilities had ceased a good twelve months before the first award was made.

During its inception it had already been decided that the award should carry the name of Queen Victoria, but the Civil Service's proposal was clumsy and long-winded: 'the Military Order of Victoria', Prince Albert put his pencil through this and suggested 'The Victoria Cross'.

To date 1354 Victoria crosses have been awarded. If you look at the Victoria Cross website [www.victoriacross.org.uk] it may come as a surprise you to at the number of recipients from Ireland, north and south, who have been awarded the Victoria Cross.

There have been many wars from the introduction of the Victoria Cross, but the greatest battle ever fought was not at the Somme or in Iraq. The greatest battle ever fought was at Calvary. At this Easter season we remember the death of Christ on the cross and his resurrection from the tomb.

There are three words that significantly remind us of that great victory. They are the words of the Lord while he was dying on the cross.

John 19:30 “It is finished”

Consider the work Christ came to do while here on this earth.

1 Tim. 1:15 "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"

He came to save sinners and Jesus confidently declares, “It is finished,” the work was complete and it never has to be repeated. Notice the word “once” that Peter uses.

1 Peter 3:18 "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God"

Christ doesn’t want a medal but he does want you to accept him as your Saviour.

Romans 10:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved"

Are you SURE that you have your place booked in Heaven? Read this if you're not!