In Washington D.C., the Vietnam Wall has over fifty thousand names of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War. There are three bronze soldiers positioned seeking the names of the fallen warriors. Those who visit the site remember their fellow family and warriors. Some often have flashbacks of this terrible war. They share tears because of the battles and conversations they remember about these comrades. War memorials keep alive the memories of the sacrifice many men and women gave for our freedom. These events provide us a sense of presence with those never forgotten. Another remembrance we observe each week is Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for our spiritual freedom.
Battlefield circulation to minister to troops, ordained every day a Sunday. I traveled to 4 different detainee operations to counsel and spend quality time for 1-3 days each week at every location in Bagdad, Iraq. They were grateful that a chaplain regularly visited from hostile environments to remain with them. We shared stories about the times they worshiped with their families far away. The soldiers refreshed themselves during communion, remembering the blood sacrificed for redemption. Walking in the presence of Christ is a weapon against evil and builds well-being in combat.
Paul encouraged Christians to partake in communion as a memorial service of Christ’s sufferings. Paul states, ” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.[1].” Many of my soldiers partook of the Lord’s Supper to remember Christ and their families back home. No limits exist in sharing concerns about family needs and other matters. This memorial service reminded them of their communion service in their home church. Christ is present when two or more gather in His name. The experience of the Lord’s Supper provided a sense of God’s presence with them on the battlefield. They faced scary concerns, expressed hostile combat experiences, and gained confidence as a team. They were encourage seeing me arrive without a weapon to serve the Lord’s Table. At one detainee facility, I claimed a plywood staircase to provide communion to two soldiers in their watchtower overlooking the detainees.
We laughed as we squeezed together to pray and break bread and shared grape juice to remember Christ’s broken body and blood. Together, we watched the beautiful sunset over Bagdad. Regular Chaplain visits increase morale and unity among the warriors. Chaplains are transparent and trusted as confidants. We share their heartfelt concern, elicited by the communion with Christ at His table. It is refreshing to experience communion not as individuals but as one community suffering together. The Lord’s Supper comes alive by sharing rather than sitting alone in a church pew. This memorial is the soul’s anchor, which translates into endurance and resiliency in combat. Communion helps keep the presence of Christ before them in the darkest of evil in war.
[1] W. Hall Harris III et al., eds., The Lexham English Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012), 1 Co 11:26.
