The annual Remembrance Day is very important. It is right that we remember the many people who died, or were seriously injured, in the two World Wars of the 20th century and the many smaller wars since, and even today. Remembering them is an opportunity to reflect on what happened and to try to learn the lessons of the past. In 1948 in a speech in the House of Commons, Winston Churchill said, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

The 20th century was a time of nearly constant conflict, with very few periods of peace. Estimates of the total number of people who died in wars and conflicts in the 20th century range from 187 million to 231 million. This includes deaths from genocide, starvation, and in internment camps. The number of deaths in conflicts in the 21st century is lower but significant numbers of people are dying today in Ethiopia and Ukraine. It was recently estimated that as many as 1500 Russian soldiers are dying or being seriously injured every day.

Each person who dies in war or conflict is precious. Like us they were created in the image of God to know him and his blessing on their lives. Countless young men have perished in wars. Their lives were cut off in their prime: wives, children, girlfriends, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters were bereft. Villages and communities lost a generation of young men, the nation was impoverished. All because evil men were determined to try to fulfil their lust for power with no regard for the cost for those who died in the conflict.

As we remember those who died we honour them and give thanks to God for their courage and self-sacrifice even to the point of laying down their lives. We remember their words, “When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today”. We thank God for the peace, prosperity and freedom from tyranny we have enjoyed because of the ultimate price they paid. We also give thanks that even in suffering and death God has given us hope through his Son Jesus who laid down his life for us and rose again from the dead. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” He also spoke of eternal life, “Because I live, you also will live.” We will never know how many people in the midst of the horrors of war knew the presence of Jesus with them and died trusting in him.