The Tomb of the Unknown soldier is a worldwide monument dedicated to military men and women who have died in combat and whose body remains have remain unidentified. In America the main Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is found at the Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D. C. Inscribed on the back of the white marble sarcophagus which depicts three carved Greek figures representing Peace, Victory, and Valor are the words:

Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God

Presidents and Vice-Presidents alike traditionally lay a wreath at the foot of the Tomb each year during Veteran’s Day as a symbolic act to honor those who have sacrificed their lives for the service of their country and families. The sacrifices of these soldiers was ultimate. They gave their lives for millions they never met, some who probably hated some of their personal beliefs, and many who often forget their freedom was earned with much sweat, blood, and tears. I recently met with a man who has been deployed 18 different times! His military service has come at great cost to him and his family. He is a man of honor.

As I reflected on such realities, I could not help but juxtapose the call of the solider who ultimately sacrifices with the person of Christ. First, I must say the Bible is replete with examples of soldiers, from the likes of Abraham, Joshua, king David, and others. Second, all these men were merely a “lesser” Jesus, who ultimately pointed to the Ultimate Soldier, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Now, Jesus’ mission was certainly warlike.

Jesus has two main enemies to defeat: the devil and death. Paul writes:

“When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15: 54-57

“…The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” 1 Peter 3:8

Jesus, like a soldier, gave himself, his own life to defeat his enemies. Jesus like a soldier, left the comforts of his home to accomplish his mission for not only his friends, but primarily those who are his enemies (Phil 2:5-9; Rom 5:10). Jesus, like a soldier, died away a gruesome death. Jesus like a soldier, had to endure excrutiating pain before his life was taken from him. Interestingly enough, the word “excruciating” is a derivative of the word “crux,” which means cross, the instrument used to kill Jesus.

Jesus still remains an Unknown Soldier to scores of people around the world who have never heard or remotely been familiar with his person and redemptive work. Jesus remains an unknown soldier to billions of people around the world. And the most striking reality is that these people who have never heard of him can certainly earn their spiritual freedom through him, but yet, they remain unaware.

Soldiers have for ages volunteered to serve their countries. They volunteered knowing that they would have to face the possibility of death. The one thing about Jesus, is that he volunteered to serve us by offering his life, knowing full well of the inevitability of his own death. Jesus, a soldier like no other, died to conquer all that is evil, not just some evil. The message of the Gospel in sum tells us that Jesus, the perfect sinless soldier, came to earth, he was crucified because of his mission, he died at the hand of other soldiers, he was buried by soldiers. The only difference is that once he was placed in his tomb its power could not hold him. He resurrected from the dead. He conquered the ultimate enemy, so that now outside his tomb perhaps this inscription would be the appropriate reminder of his legacy:

Here rested only momentarily, the Son of God, Jesus, who is now honored glory and alive!

Though most do not and some may never known the Ultimate Unknown soldier, stop for a moment and thank God for reading this short blog article because he is no longer unknown to you.

Thank you military men and women for reminding us that duty requires sacrifice, that sacrifice requires not counting the cost, and that the mission for freedom is the ultimate goal of service. Thank you to some many of you decided to serve and not be served, and that you fought for our freedom, never veering away from your mission. You are living examples of the grace of God which accomplished the ultimate victory and earned us the final freedom from sin and death, the one, who for many is still unknown, Jesus.

Written by Daniel Messina