“Beyond the Call of Duty”
Luke 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
*GRAY, ROSS FRANKLIN – WWII
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Born: August 1920, Marvel Valley, Ala. Accredited to: Alabama.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a Platoon Sergeant attached to Company A, 1st Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 21 February 1945. Shrewdly gauging the tactical situation when his platoon was held up by a sudden barrage of hostile grenades while advancing toward the high ground northeast of Airfield No. 1, Sgt. Gray promptly organized the withdrawal of his men from enemy grenade range, quickly moved forward alone to reconnoiter and discovered a heavily mined area extending along the front of a strong network of emplacements joined by covered trenches. Although assailed by furious gunfire, he cleared a path leading through the minefield to one of the fortifications, then returned to the platoon position and, informing his leader of the serious situation, volunteered to initiate an attack under cover of 3 fellow marines. Alone and unarmed but carrying a huge satchel charge, he crept up on the Japanese emplacement, boldly hurled the short-fused explosive and sealed the entrance. Instantly taken under machinegun fire from a second entrance to the same position, he unhesitatingly braved the increasingly vicious fusillades to crawl back for another charge, returned to his objective and blasted the second opening, thereby demolishing the position. Repeatedly covering the ground between the savagely defended enemy fortifications and his platoon area, he systematically approached, attacked and withdrew under blanketing fire to destroy a total of 6 Japanese positions, more than 25 troops and a quantity of vital ordnance gear and ammunition. Stouthearted and indomitable, Sgt. Gray had single-handedly overcome a strong enemy garrison and had completely disarmed a large minefield before finally rejoining his unit. By his great personal valor, daring tactics and tenacious perseverance in the face of extreme peril, he had contributed materially to the fulfillment of his company mission. His gallant conduct throughout enhanced and sustained the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
MIZE, OLA L. - Korea
Rank and organization: Master Sergeant (then Sgt.), U.S. Army, Company K, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Surang-ni, Korea, 10 to 11 June 1953. Entered service at: Gadsden, Ala. Born: 28 August 1931, Marshall County, Ala. G.O. No.: 70, 24 September 1954.
Citation:
M/Sgt. Mize, a member of Company K, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. Company K was committed to the defense of "Outpost Harry", a strategically valuable position, when the enemy launched a heavy attack. Learning that a comrade on a friendly listening post had been wounded he moved through the intense barrage, accompanied by a medical aid man, and rescued the wounded soldier. On returning to the main position he established an effective defense system and inflicted heavy casualties against attacks from determined enemy assault forces which had penetrated into trenches within the outpost area. During his fearless actions he was blown down by artillery and grenade blasts 3 times but each time he dauntlessly returned to his position, tenaciously fighting and successfully repelling hostile attacks. When enemy onslaughts ceased he took his few men and moved from bunker to bunker, firing through apertures and throwing grenades at the foe, neutralizing their positions. When an enemy soldier stepped out behind a comrade, prepared to fire, M/Sgt. Mize killed him, saving the life of his fellow soldier. After rejoining the platoon, moving from man to man, distributing ammunition, and shouting words of encouragement he observed a friendly machinegun position overrun. He immediately fought his way to the position, killing 10 of the enemy and dispersing the remainder. Fighting back to the command post, and finding several friendly wounded there, he took a position to protect them. Later, securing a radio, he directed friendly artillery fire upon the attacking enemy's routes of approach. At dawn he helped regroup for a counterattack which successfully drove the enemy from the outpost. M/Sgt. Mize's valorous conduct and unflinching courage reflect lasting glory upon himself and uphold the noble traditions of the military service.
MICHAEL, DON LESLIE - Vietnam
Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company C, 4th Battalion, 503d Infantry, 1 73d Airborne Brigade. Place and Date: Republic of Vietnam, 8 April 1967. Entered service at: Montgomery, Ala. Born: 31 July 1947, Florence, Ala.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Michael, U.S. Army, distinguished himself while serving with Company C. Sp4c. Michael was part of a platoon which was moving through an area of suspected enemy activity. While the rest of the platoon stopped to provide security, the squad to which Sp4c. Michael was assigned moved forward to investigate signs of recent enemy activity. After moving approximately 125 meters, the squad encountered a single Viet Cong soldier. When he was fired upon by the squad's machine gunner, other Viet Cong opened fire with automatic weapons from a well-concealed bunker to the squad's right front. The volume of enemy fire was so withering as to pin down the entire squad and halt all forward movement. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Sp4c. Michael exposed himself to throw 2 grenades, but failed to eliminate the enemy position. From his position on the left flank, Sp4c. Michael maneuvered forward with 2 more grenades until he was within 20 meters of the enemy bunkers, when he again exposed himself to throw 2 grenades, which failed to detonate. Undaunted, Sp4c. Michael made his way back to the friendly positions to obtain more grenades. With 2 grenades in hand, he again started his perilous move towards the enemy bunker, which by this time was under intense artillery fire from friendly positions. As he neared the bunker, an enemy soldier attacked him from a concealed position. Sp4c. Michael killed him with his rifle and, in spite of the enemy fire and the exploding artillery rounds, was successful in destroying the enemy positions. Sp4c. Michael took up pursuit of the remnants of the retreating enemy. When his comrades reached Sp4c. Michael, he had been mortally wounded. His inspiring display of determination and courage saved the lives of many of his comrades and successfully eliminated a destructive enemy force. Sp4c. Michael's actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect the utmost credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.
*SHUGHART, RANDALL D. - Somalia
Rank and organization: Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army. Place and date: 3 October 1993, Mogadishu, Somalia. Entered service at: Newville, Pennsylvania. Born: Newville, Pennsylvania.
Citation:
Sergeant First Class Shughart, United States Army, distinguished himself by actions above and beyond the call of duty on 3 October 1993, while serving as a Sniper Team Member, United States Army Special Operations Command with Task Force Ranger in Mogadishu, Somalia. Sergeant First Class Shughart provided precision sniper fires from the lead helicopter during an assault on a building and at two helicopter crash sites, while subjected to intense automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fires. While providing critical suppressive fires at the second crash site, Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader learned that ground forces were not immediately available to secure the site. Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader unhesitatingly volunteered to be inserted to protect the four critically wounded personnel, despite being well aware of the growing number of enemy personnel closing in on the site. After their third request to be inserted, Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader received permission to perform this volunteer mission. When debris and enemy ground fires at the site caused them to abort the first attempt, Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader were inserted one hundred meters south of the crash site. Equipped with only his sniper rifle and a pistol, Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader, while under intense small arms fire from the enemy, fought their way through a dense maze of shanties and shacks to reach the critically injured crew members. Sergeant First Class Shughart pulled the pilot and the other crew members from the aircraft, establishing a perimeter which placed him and his fellow sniper in the most vulnerable position. Sergeant First Class Shughart used his long range rifle and side arm to kill an undetermined number of attackers while traveling the perimeter, protecting the downed crew. Sergeant First Class Shughart continued his protective fire until he depleted his ammunition and was fatally wounded. His actions saved the pilot's life. Sergeant First Class Shughart's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest standards of military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit and the United States Army.
There is one thing that all these men had in common. They all went “above and beyond “the call of duty!
JAMES KEI PALMER, a high school student wrote: - What really sets humans apart from any other species on this planet is our ability to disregard the simple necessities of survival. The instinct to survive is programed into the mind of every single living creature. It is one of the laws of life. Yet humans can choose to transcend this instinct. We can stop focusing on our own survival, and start focusing on the survival of others. War will often show you someone’s true colors.
When danger and death are present, people will sometimes revert back to their basic instinct of survival. There are those, however, that will protect their comrades no matter what the situation and no matter what the cost. They do not think about themselves in the middle of combat. They think of the safety of others. People like this exist everywhere, but they are given exceptional honor in the United States Military.
People who sacrifice for others represent the ideals of what America stands for, and we recognize these people with the Congressional Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is the greatest award that any soldier can receive for an act of heroism. The Medal is not given to people who kill many enemies. It is given to those who protect their comrades and those around them. These people are not focused on earning fame for themselves; they work for the greater safety of their group.
Selflessness is a trait found in all Medal of Honor winners. I believe this single trait is what uniquely determines a Medal of Honor winner. There are other traits such as pride and honor that can be found in a Medal of Honor recipient, but these can be quite common in the armed forces.
To risk your life for someone shows your ultimate and selfless concern for them. Many say or want to believe they are capable of such selfless acts, but those are just idle thoughts and words until the time calls for action. Medal of Honor Recipients have all willingly risked their lives for others, proving they are capable of such incredible deeds.
After WWII, over half of all Medal of Honor recipients have died in combat from their heroic actions. These medals were given to those who had committed selfless acts of protecting others, such as jumping on a live grenade to save others. There is so little time to react to a grenade landing next to you.
It proves how automatic and pre-programmed their selfless instincts are as a part of their character. History will remember people like these, who risked or lost their lives to protect others. These actions inspire others. We become more understanding and more caring due to these people. In the end, it brings humanity closer together as a whole and separates us from the animals.
First, let’s consider what the disciples were asking:
I. The Request of the Servants
a. Their reasoning
There is some doubt as to a connection between the disciples request in this section of Scripture dealing with forgiving those who have sinned against because of the fact that it does not take faith to forgive someone, it takes a willing heart and a decision to forgive those who have sinned against us. More likely, and this is the opinion of most commentators that their request is in response to what happened in Matthew 17:14-21 where the disciples failed to cast the devil out of the child and the father brought his son to Jesus. Jesus healed the child and then spoke of the disciple’s faithlessness and unbelief.
b. Their rebuke
Perhaps they figured that it was by faith that you really got things done in Jesus’ kingdom, and so to be a mover and shaker there they needed more of whatever Jesus had-like a super-charged V-8 instead of a standard four cylinder engine. In verse 6 Jesus seems to be saying that if you even have the faith of a “grain of mustard seed” which is one of the smallest of seeds, you could forgive “seven times seventy sins!” But that is not His point as we can see from what He says after verse 6. Faith doesn’t seem to be the issue for the Lord but service is!
c. Their reward
In the metaphor that Jesus uses in verses 6-9 He gives the disciples an interesting scenario. A servant has been out in the fields all day working and when he comes in he is not greeted with an invitation to sit down and take it easy but he receives further instructions from his master to continue his service and to top it all off he doesn’t even get a thank you!
Now let’s look at what Jesus had to say to them:
II. The Response of the Savior
See, it’s really not about us at all, and I think it’s fitting that when the disciples asked for more faith Jesus told them they didn’t need a lot of faith. When they asked for more faith He told them to serve!
a. Jesus speaks of a principle
Mark 10:42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Those of you who know me and have listened to me preach know that I have a pet peeve and have a real difficult time with this idea of “taking ownership” (code for lordship & authority) of a task or job in order to do it well. This is a Madison Avenue approach to ministry that is totally foreign to the Scripture. I believe that there is a line where this is concerned that we must not allow ourselves to cross. First, because you and I don’t “own” anything; everything belongs to God. And second, if I have to have ownership of a ministry to do a good job then it is the wrong motivation! Love for God and our fellow man are the only acceptable motives for doing what we do. I have found that the surest test to see if someone has crossed the line into “ownership” is to suggest a change in what they are doing and watch how they respond! You will know in a “New York minute!”
b. Jesus speaks of a paradox
Jesus states “…but so shall it not be among you…” so as to make it crystal clear that His kingdom does not operate in the same way that the “kingdom of this world” operates! Jesus tells them that true “greatness” is measured in service to God and mankind.
c. Jesus speaks of a pattern
The pattern for us all is the selfless sacrifice of Christ who gave “…his life a ransom for many.” This wasn’t a onetime event but the result of a life filled with acts of self-giving. It was an automatic and pre-programmed selfless instinct that was a part of His character.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Finally, and most important, what can we learn from what Jesus has said?
III. The Risk to Our Service
How did the disciples get it so wrong and what are some things that we can get wrong?
a. Forgetting our place
In the NT there are many references that use the word “servant.” The word "servant" appears 1,060 times in the ESV version, 980 in the KJV. In the overwhelming number of cases where this word is used it means “bond-slave!”
Romans 16:1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant…
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ…
Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ…
James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ…
2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ…
Jude 1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ…
b. Forgetting our powerlessness
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
c. Forgetting our purpose
Brothers and sister, we are here in this World for one ultimate purpose and that is to glory God!
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
In closing: So why would anyone want to be a servant of God given what we’ve talked about? I want to give you five reasons why we should give above and beyond the call of duty.
1. Because we should be grateful for what God has done for us
2. Because others need the same grace and mercy that we have received
3. Because serving God is our purpose for living
4. Because when we serve we are most like our Lord who came to serve!
5. Because the greatest rewards are reserved for those who serve, in this life and the next!
Matthew 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
SAVED FROM OUR RUBBLE OF SIN-
The September 11, 2002 issues of TIME magazine has a touching article about 31-year old Genelle Guzman. Genelle was the last of just four people caught in the debris of the Twin Towers to be found alive.
After the planes hit the World Trade Center, Genelle was descending a stair case from the 64th floor of the North Tower. Steel beams weakened to their breaking point. Solid concrete was pulverized. But somehow her body found an air pocket.
Her right leg was pinned under heavy concrete pillars. Her head was caught between stacks of wreckage. But somehow she was still alive.
For twenty-seven hours Guzman lay trapped and seriously injured. In recent months before the attacks Genelle had started attending the church called Brooklyn Tabernacle, and wanted to get her life turned around. So while she was stuck in the rubble, she started to pray. She’d trail off into sleep – wake up and pray some more. Shortly after noon on Wednesday the 12th, she heard voices. So she screamed as loud as she could, “I’m here! HEY, I’M RIGHT HERE!” A rescue worker responded, "Do you see the light?" She did not. She took a piece of concrete and banged it against a broken stairway overhead—probably the same structure that had saved her life. The searchers find the noise. Genelle wedged her hand through a crack in the wall, and felt someone grab it. She heard a voice say, "I’ve got you," and Genelle Guzman said, "OH GOD, THANK YOU.” It took 20 long minutes, and then she was saved. In many ways, Genelle Guzman represents the plight of all people. We are buried under an enormous mess of spiritual black marks – ways we have wronged our perfect God. The Bible calls these things sin. We have no hope of freeing ourselves. We are truly stuck. In need of rescue. But by admitting the need to be forgiven – by reaching out and saying, “God, help me! I can’t get out of this unless you save me,” we can be confident that he hears and helps.
SOURCE: Matthew Rogers. Citation: TIME Magazine, 9/11/02, p. 38.
