After President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, his widow, First Lady Jackie Kennedy wanted a specific memorial in honor of her husband. Her desire was to have an “eternal flame” as part as the memorial for her husband.

The Washington Gas Company, along with Colonel Clayton Lyle, and the US Army Corps of Engineers, completed the “eternal flame” design in approximately a day using an adapted propane torch.  The “eternal flame” was lit during the burial of President Kennedy.

However, less than a month later, the flame was extinguished by some students on a field trip. The visit was from a group of Catholic school children who poured water on the flame, resulting in it going out. Fortunately, one of the guards at the grave had a lighter and reignited the flame.

Now, the “eternal flame” has been redesigned to constantly spark using an electric switch if the flame goes out. This happens in such a quick, continuous way that if the flame every stopped, it would be instantly reignited.

Thinking of that, the “eternal flame” is not eternal, but temporary. The eternal life offered my Christ (John 10.27-28; Romans 6.23) does not go out. It is never extinguished. It never fades. It never flickers. Instead, it is the hope of eternal life which motivates us forward because Jesus has taken away our sins.  Do we live in the eternal life of Christ?

Just a thought,