KAPPA COMMENTARY: NATIONAL CHAPLAIN'S MESSAGE
Faith of the Veterans By Rev. Dr. Tony C. Evans, Sr. National Chaplain
We Honor our Veterans in this issue of the Journal, for putting there lives on the line to ensure our safety! John 15:13 says it best, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” You will notice in this issue, that Kappa Men exemplified achievements at every level of leadership, every rank, served in every war/conflict involving our country, and to this day their commitment to honorable achievement continues. wrong person; it was the veteran , not the preacher who gave us the freedom of religion; it was the veteran , not the reporter, who gave us the freedom of the press; it was the veteran , not the poet who gave us the freedom of speech; it was the veteran , not the lawyer who gave us the right to a fair trial; it was the vet- eran , not the politician who gave us the right to vote; it is the veteran who salutes the flag and served under the flag, who gave us the freedom to proudly claim and wave our flags. Let us, with unconditional love, brothers all , honor our brothers that are veterans as well as those continuing to serve our country, but let us worship Jesus Christ, our Great Commander-In-Chief. I leave you with these closing thoughts. Many times we give credit to the
My scriptural text is Matthew 8:5- 13. It is centered around a Centurion (Military) officer caring for one of his servants. Long after the veteran has laid aside his military uniform he remains one of the most patriotic, most loyal , most committed Americans we have in the country, and beloved brothers within the noble bond of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Jesus honored the wish of the centurion as a result of his loyalty, commitment and service. In the 10th verse , “Assur- edly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” In verse 13 , Jesus rewarded the centurion in saying, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour. Jesus honors the faith of a veteran according to Matthew 8:5-13. Down through the years, our veterans have served and committed to the cause of freedom, courage, and love of country. And because of such a commitment to a cause far greater than themselves, they are deserving of our honor. In our text, Jesus pays great honor to a military veteran, not because of his service to his country, but for his faith in God. IN verses 5-8, the military veteran gave honor to Christ. When ever a centurion is mentioned in the New Testament, it is always in a favorable light. The 10 th verse reads, “When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “ Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” Only two times in the New Testament that we are told that Jesus “marveled” at something. The other, was in Mark 6:6, Jesus “marveled” at the unbelief of the Jewish people in His hometown of Nazareth.
Now when Jesus had entered Caper- naum, a centurion came to Him, plead- ing with Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” The centurion answered and said, “Lord , I am not wor- thy that you should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man un- der authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,‘ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assur- edly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” (Matthew 8:5-13) B rothers all, 100 years ago, seven years after a veteran by the name of Elder Watson Diggs (a great centurion), estab- lished what was to become the great- est fraternity in the world, World War I ended on November 11, 1918. After the war, Congress declared November 11 th an annual holiday. Originally it was called “Armistice Day”. In 1953 after the second World War ended, the name was changed to Veteran’s Day. My message for you in this special Journal edition focuses on Kappa veterans and military personnel.
One Kappa, One Nation Under God, In- divisible with Liberty and Justice for All.
To God be the Glory!
8 | THE JOURNAL
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