John 19 and 20

Mike Davies considers the value that each person has

Mike Davies

Only a few hours ago I stood in the forest glade of Compiegne, about 90 minutes drive from Paris. Over the last few days I had driven through the forest several times but today I made a special visit to a clearing within the centre of the forest.

As I stood in a large clearing surrounded by trees my six year old son walked along an old railway track and came to a stop at some large stone work. He thought it was a large stone coffin but I explained that it was a memorial stone of great significance. I went on to tell him that there used to be two rail tracks which crossed over at that very point. He looked at me and could only see one set of rail tracks and wondered where the other set had gone. They had been removed many years ago but once two trains had come from different locations and met at the cross roads. One of the trains had pulled 'Carriage 2419D' in which the occupants of both trains met and deliberated over conditions. This meeting had started at 2:15am and at 5:10am the occupants of one of the trains agreed to sign the conditions set by the occupants of the other train. The date was 11th November 1918 and at 11:00am the signing of this Armistice in the forest of Compiegne was declared as a "Cease Fire" to all those on the front lines. At 11:30am the train containing the defeated German leaders left the forest.

At 11:00 am on 11th November each year Armistice Day is remembered. The location of the signing of the Armistice remembered by not that many. But Church and Civic services take place all over the world to remember all those lost in warfare and military service.

Driving just a few miles down the road we drove by a French cemetery. All of the graves were exactly the same, well kept, and the French flags flying high. The cemetery was for French soldiers who died in World War 1. On the drive to where we were staying we passed similar cemeteries for Canadians, the United States, and British soldiers. Seeing thousands upon thousands of crosses each marking the site of one individual brought it home as to how many families lost a father, a mother, a brother or sister; these war graves covering the two World Wars. It was tragic for the life lost but also then the pain and suffering for those who remained.

Standing in a remote forest seemed so insignificant a place to sign an agreement to bring the end to such a war. Standing there with my son, 95 years later, I felt that somehow he was missing the whole point. But how could he comprehend it at his age? His focus was more on Euro Disney!

Recently, I read a biography on William Tyndale, a man who believed so strongly that the Bible should be translated into English that he was prepared to offer up his life. It was through his life that many people came to be able to read the Bible for themselves and make decisions to follow Christ.

So many times I have been told that, "Life goes on" and so it does, but whether it be Tyndale or a soldier lost at war every individual life is important to God. Every life has made a difference in this world however long or short a life they have lived. From the grand-parent who lives into their late nineties there are so many memories and so many lives touched. From the child who dies at birth or after a few days there will always be the "what would they be like if they had lived longer" - but they made a difference.

The trains meeting in Compiegne forest may be forgotten in the detail but the date has not. William Tyndale may not be known by as many people as should know about him, but translations of the Bible are now freely available in all languages.

That leads me to talk about Jesus. For many in the world today they may not know the full detail on the life of Jesus, but what he has done is so significant that the world can never, and will never, be the same. He was executed through a long and painful death, paying the price so that we can have eternal life with him; he rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. How many people celebrating Christmas or Easter know the full story? Well, not as many as we would hope, but the truth is that an historical event took place that now means no matter what our circumstances we can take refuge in a Jesus that loves us and cares for us.

On writing this, I am mindful that so many reading this are in a place of need right now. These needs can be through despair, depression, loneliness, sickness, broken relationships and much more. All I need to tell you is that I believe in a Jesus who can make a difference in your life right now. All you need to do is ask him. I started by telling you a few facts about Armistice Day, but in a nutshell the most important point was that World War 1 ended. I could tell you a lot about the Bible and about Jesus, but the key point is that he has paid the price so that you can have eternal life and a life that is lived to the fullness to which it was intended. While you have been reading this article I pray that you will experience the joy and fullness of Christ and that from today it will be a 'New Day' for you. As always, I am willing to stand with you in prayer if you would like that extra support; just let me know.