What Did He Die For?

Twila Paris writes this about her song, "What Did He Die For."  I thought the song, and the recurring question, were appropriate as we remember Memorial Day, sacrifice and "amazing love."  Here are her words:

"I remember sitting there in my living room, and it hit me. I saw these young guys are like 18, 19, 20. So many of them never came home, and ended their lives in horrible ways there on that beach and, of course, in other places, and then other young men, and even other young women in other wars. But D-Day was the catalyst for me to sort of begin to get that. I thought, "they did that for me." They never knew me. I wasn't born yet, and yes you could say well, they did that for America. They did it because they love their country, but my answer is then, “Yes, but I'm an American, and on some very real level they did that for me.” What in the world did I do to deserve that? Why would I ever deserve that? I just broke down and started weeping. I had never made that connection before, in such a personal way. So then the obvious question that the song asks is, “What did He die for, when He died for me?”

The first verse is about the American soldier. But the second verse!? As a Christian you immediately think well, there was another young man who also gave His life so that I could be free… so that I could have eternal life. What do I do with that life that He has given to me? What do I do with that freedom that He's given me?"

Romans 6 tells us that Jesus died so we could be released as slaves from sin ... so we could live a life of serving Him ... so we could experience life in holiness ... so that we could be brought into eternity with Him.  Grace, forgiveness and love all become real and personal, as we ask this soul-piercing question ... "What did He die for, when He died for me?"

What Did He Die For?  Twila Paris

He was 21 in 1944. He was hope and he was courage on a lonely shore.

Sent there by a mother with love beyond her tears. Just a young American who chose to rise above his fears.

And as I watch him struggle up that hill, without a thought of turning back, I cannot help but wonder.

What did he die for when he died for you and me? He made the sacrifice so that we could all be free.

I believe we will answer each to Heaven, for the way we spend a priceless liberty.

Look inside and ask the question, what did he die for when he died for me?

To the darkest day in A.D. 33, Came the mercy and compassion of eternity.

Sent there by a Father with love beyond his tears. Blameless One, the Only Son, to bear the guilt of all these years.

And as I watch Him struggle up that hill, without a thought of turning back, I cannot help but wonder.

What did He die for when He died for you and me? He made the sacrifice so that we could all be free.

I believe we will answer each to heaven, for the way we spend a priceless liberty.

Look inside and ask the question, what did He die for?

He died for freedom. He died for love.  And all the things we do to pay Him back will never be enough.

What did He die for when He died for you and me? He made the sacrifice so that we could all be free.

I believe we will answer each to Heaven, for the way we spend a priceless liberty.

Look inside and ask the question, what did He die for, when He died for me?