Wandering Crusader #286 A Different Kind Of Greatness

During the closing days of 1941, the “Greatest Generation” began marching off to war. Their heroism is the stuff of legends. Their dedication, sacrifice, and patriotism are beyond reproach. They deserve to be called the Greatest Generation. Line upon line of white tombstones around the world are a testimony to that.

Without taking a thing from them, I want to tell a story of faith, loyalty, and dedication patterned after St. Paul’s hall of heroes. The eleventh chapter of Hebrews presents us with a roll call of faith beginning with Abel, through the patriarchs, and beyond. It replays the trying tests and the miraculous results of faith. Toward the end of the chapter, the story takes a somewhat chilling turn. The narrative shifts its focus to the lives of the unknown faithful who experienced a different kind of greatness. Their story is one of cruel mocking, beating, affliction, and torment.

The apostle’s object was not to present them in a lesser light, just a different, perhaps higher, one. These people were heroes for whom no one threw parades or lauded for their faithful service to the kingdom. No one preaches sermons about them. We don’t even know their names.

The story should sound familiar. I sit down with a group of men from America’s undeclared wars every week. We know the names of the men and women who gave their lives while serving with us. We don’t talk about them. Those stories we keep to ourselves for the inescapable moments of private memorial, “for those who didn’t come home”.

They are our heroes, “of whom the world was not worthy”. Lying under the flag they served, they were not welcomed home. Those who spat on them, cursed them, and defamed their love of country do not even like to retain them in the country’s memory. I suppose it is just as well. They didn’t go to gain fame or be admired. They went because they had to and because it was the right thing to do. We all did our duty. No one can take that from us, not even death.

And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: Hebrews 11:39