Acts 14:19b-20-"They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city."

Could you have done that? Get stoned for preaching the gospel and then after you were raised back to health or life go back to the people who stoned you? Paul did. Why? The only reason I can think of is love. Love for God and love for the people who did no have a relationship with Christ.

This Memorial Day weekend, we take a day to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, their lives. Why? I believe it was out of love. Love for their country and love for freedom. Men and women who did not think about themselves, but the lives of their loved ones and for those they didn't even know. People like you and me. What great love they demonstrated.

In Acts 14 we find Paul expressing great love for the people of Lystra. Paul was stoned for preaching the gospel. He was dragged out of the city and left for dead. Maybe he was dead or maybe they beat him so bad that he lay unconscious. Whichever the case, the disciples came around him and he got up. It does not say what they did but I would imagine they prayed for Paul and God restored him to health.

Now, if I were beaten that bad by the people of Lystra, I would not want to go back to them. I would run in the opposite direction and say, "forget those people. They don't deserve to hear the gospel. Let them all go to hell." But the scriptures say that is not what Paul did. It says, "he got up and went back into the city." What, is Paul crazy? No, Paul was in love. He was in love with Jesus and those who didn't know him.

Paul was living out what Jesus taught in John 15:13-"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." Paul loved his friend and Lord, Jesus Christ. He loved him so much that he was willing to lay down his life so others could have a relationship with him. It was this kind of love that compelled Paul to go back to a place that abused him. He went back in order to share the good news, the gospel. He wanted them to experience the kind of love that only Jesus could give.

This weekend, let's remember those who gave their lives for our county and the freedoms we enjoy. Let's also remember the one who was beaten, crucified, died and rose from the grave so we could experience eternal and abundant life.

Prayer-Dear Lord, thank you for all those men and women who made and are making the unltimate sacrifice for us today. We pray for their families and friends that you would give them peace, courage, strength and comfort on this Memorial Day weekend. Thank you for their great love for us. Thank you for Jesus. The one who showed us what sacrificial love really looks like. Help us live our lives like Paul who would not give up on people even when they were abusive to him. Help us demostrate this great love to those in our world today. In Jesus' Name, Amen!!