I love the Fourth of July. I love the barbeques and I love the fireworks. However I sometimes wonder if I truly appreciate the freedom that makes this celebration possible. For freedom is not really free. As our forefathers found out, freedom has a price and sometimes requires great sacrifice.
Signing the Declaration of Independence was more than just writing a “John Hancock” on a piece of paper. Those men had courage. From the moment they signed their names, they became traitors in the eyes of the British. Sure we romanticize that signers like John Adams and Thomas Jefferson became future presidents and Benjamin Franklin’s wit and wisdom wowed the world, but most did not fare quite as well. They sacrificed a lot for our freedom.
Did you know that the British considered John Hancock and Samuel Adams criminals and placed a price on their heads? The British chased Thomas McKean, George Reed, and William Hooper like foxes. They had to move their families from town to town to escape being captured. Ned (Edward) Rutledge, the youngest signer, and Thomas Hayward Jr. became prisoners of war. Richard Stockton was captured, tortured, and killed. James Otis was beaten by the British and left mentally deranged.
William Floyd, Lyman Hall, George Clymer, and Lewis Morris had their homes plundered and destroyed. While “Honest John” Hart was away, his wife died during an attack on their home. His children had to flee to neighbors for refuge. Francis Lewis had his Long Island mansion destroyed. His wife was imprisoned and tortured. The Revolutionary War swept away his fortune.
War costs money so many other fortunes were lost, too. Lewis Morris was a wealthy merchant in Philadelphia. His home and business were destroyed. He ended up in debtor’s prison. Thomas Nelson died, leaving his family deeply in debt.
John Morton ofPennsylvaniahad all of his friends (mostly Quakers) turn against him. These stories could go on and on. The trials of all 56 men are too numerous to mention. They did more than sign a historic document; they sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
Someone else sacrificed his life for our freedom. His name is Jesus Christ. He was rich and for us, he became poor (2 Corinthians 8:9). He died to give us freedom from sin (Romans 6:18, 22) and freedom from bondage (Galatians 5:1). He gave us the free gift of righteousness (Romans 5:17) and the free gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8). Through his death we have free justification (Romans 3:24). This list could go on and on as well.
So when Fourth of July rolls around, I think about those who gave up much so I might have freedom. And I think about Christ whose sacrifice allows me to truly enjoy the freedoms I have.
