Saving Private Ryan

A fitting perspective for Remembrance Day

During the disastrous WW2 Normandy Invasion at Omaha Beach, three Ryan brothers were killed. A fourth, James, survived and continued to fight against enemy lines. Army officials in Washington instructed Capt. Miller to find James Ryan and send him home to his mother lest she lose a fourth son. Capt. Miller and 7 others set out to find him. In the course of the search two of the 7 men were killed. Upon reaching James Ryan at the Meredith River defending an important bridge, James listened to the request, was deeply saddened, but wanted to stay in the battle. The Captain  and the 5 remaining men chose to stay with himand join the battle. During that battle the captain and 4 more men died. The captain’s last words to Private Ryan were, “James, earn this. Earn it!”

What a heavy load that must have been for Ryan to carry after he managed to survive and get back to America. For about 50 years he struggled with the challenge of earning the price 6 men paid with their lives for his survival. The elderly private Ryan visited the captain’s gravesite under deep conviction and pleaded with his wife to say that  he had lived a good life and earned the right to live. His wife said he had. Upon this confirmation James Ryan saluted the captain’s gravesite and left somewhat relieved.

That is a powerful story. On this Remembrance weekend it vividly sets out the aweful cost of war. Ryan’s desire to merit his survival was very commendable. But we also have had Someone die for us. According to Scripture the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), but thankfully “the gift of God is eternal life”. This was made possible because Jesus died for us. The price has already been paid. We do not and cannot earn it. What we can do is admit that we need it and accept it as a gift. Then we need to live for the One who gave us such an incredible gift.

Overwhelmed to be on the sunny side by grace,

Henry Wiebe