Lesson 35: Mission Accomplished
Kentucky Chaplain Chaltas

Those of us who were blessed to attend the Hunley Funeral and experience the emotions of the procession felt the sense of awe as we marched the 4+miles with the crew of the Hunley. Those souls who were not present in body but were present in spirit are aware of the significance and magnitude of the event. We can honestly say with pride and honor recoiling from our voices, "Mission accomplished!" They were lost and now they are found. As I marched in the procession and gazed out into the harbor, my mind wandered back to the chilly night of February 17, 1864 when the USS Housatonic became the first ship to ever be sunk by a submarine. The echoes of the past drowned out the cadence of the thousands of men as I heard the explosion and saw the crew of the Hunley signal with their blue light, "Mission Accomplished!" just before they disappeared into the thickening fog. And then in my mind's vision I saw another mission so many years ago. This mission was by a Son that was the first to die for the sins of all. This mission was one that would cost Him his life and after weighing the cost in a garden via prayer with His Father, still continued the course that He thought was in the interest of His people. In John 19:30 we see that His dying words were, "It is finished!" being interpreted, "Mission Accomplished!" He had completed what he had come to do, he had accomplished His mission and He paid the price with His life. In John 15:13 the greatest love of all is offered: "Greater love hath no man than this, than to lay down his life for his friends." As I walked on I saw all the people out paying their respects and honoring our heroes that offered up their lives 140 years ago and tears of gratitude poured from my eyes as I gave thanks to a loving God that cared so much for me that He offered His son in my place so that I might enjoy life everlasting.

We all have our heroes. We all have those that we admire. We all think of those heroes that like my grandfather, who on December 23, 1930 while working in the mines at Carbon Glow heard the timbers cracking and ran towards the rumbling to push his eldest son Charlie out of harms way, forfeiting his life with no thought of his own. He was a hero to me. But his act of bravery and all other acts recorded in time pales in comparison to the sacrifice of Christ. For all generations he suffered and died so that we would have the choice of salvation. All those that follow Him use Him as the example and we can see the true cost of freedom whenever we watch another soldier returning home in a box covered by our flag. They fought the good fight; they gave their all; they followed in the footsteps of the ancestors who willingly paid the price. Each act of bravery must pass through suffering of sorts. It is after that act that the true significance of the sacrifice is recognized. For God offers comfort with the blow and those willing to give their all for their beliefs will receive a special place not only in the hearts of a grateful country but also will be drawn nigh unto God as stated in the Book of Books. In the words of General Robert E. Lee to his daughter-in-law regarding the loss of her infant; "May God give you strength to bear the affliction He has imposed, and produce future joy out of your present misery, is my earnest prayer." To those that have given their lives as Christ gave His , may you rest in peace with the knowledge that a grateful nation will remember and will honor your name. For the families of those that have gone before, know that God will do for you what you cannot do for yourself. " I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you." John 14:18. Their mission is accomplished as HIS mission was accomplished. We are all safe. We can all be saved. "Well done thy good and faithful servants."

I remain your obedient servant in Christ,

The Old General