Many are the signs and banners that bombard us today. If it’s not a sign marketing the latest technology, then it’s a sign promoting the most juicy burger and crispy fries. From the highways to the subways, the ploy for our attention is on display. It’s no wonder we often find ourselves numb to their messages. We’re simply advertised-fatigued.
The irony of this post, on the one hand, is that I’m bringing to attention another banner for consideration. However, on the other hand, the difference between this message and all the other messages is that this banner’s message doesn’t change (with culture or time).
Which leads me to today, April 15, 2021. I’m wrapping up a leadership conference at the Battle of Gettysburg. One of the key principles discussed was the battle flag. This small instrument rallied men together in the fog of war and it kept men engaged in the face of death. These flags represented a cause, fortified a brotherhood, and connected its people to their community. Men fought and died under its banner protecting its honor. It may be hard for those of us who have never been on the battlefield to understand its distinguishing importance. To its companies, however, it was a symbol of love, of devotion, of principle, of family, of children, of mothers, of home, and of the soldiers standing next to each other shoulder-to-shoulder.
It’s no wonder that God communicates to us in a similar way. As the story of God’s people unfolded with their mass exodus from Egypt, God allowed them to face the Amalekites at Rephidim. Their only hope for victory was for Moses to take the high ground and to hold his staff over the people. The problem was he needed help. There came to his aid Aaron (from the priestly line) and Hur (from the tribe of Judah). Now, over the people as they fought was the metaphorical representation of the Prophet (Moses), Priest (Aaron), and King (Judah) to be their banner and their guide. This is the first time the word banner is used in the Old Testament, and it is used many times after bringing us back to this idea of God’s banner over His people.
We see, however, the deeper meaning of the concept of God being a banner over His people when we tie Psalm 20:5, which says, “We will sing for joy over your victory, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the Lord fulfill all your desires” to Jesus on the cross. It was there where victory over sin and death was fought. It was the cross where God showed us His banner of love.
The banner of God’s people today is the cross, wherein all the penalties from our separating sins were satisfied by Christ.
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”—in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”
Galatians 3:13-14
How Does This Apply To Us Today?
- Of all the banners to rally around, it is the cross of Christ that unites a sinful humanity to Himself and to one another. This is the message for our culture today!
- When the fog of the world’s messaging rises and when we are confronted up-close with a bombardment of banners, we can come back once again to the truth and clear message of Christ’s love through His sacrifice.
- Which means, I am not defined by what I control, I am not defined by what others say of me, and I am not defined by what I do. Instead, I am defined by the One who loved me and laid His life down for me.
His banner over me is love…as seen in the person and work of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. His banner over you is love. We rally to this flag of love. We rally.
— April 15, 2021