Color Guard

 April 14, 2021

Before modern communications, armies carried colorful banners into battle so companies, battalions, and platoons could see if they were where they needed to be. Particularly in the era of black powder, smoke would blanket the battlefield, so the banner was often the only way a soldier could tell where he was. The one carrying the banner (or colors) was the color guard, a prestigious and dangerous position.

If a banner carrier were killed or wounded, another would drop his weapon and pick up the colors, lest they fall to the ground. It was considered an honor to be the banner carrier, but it was also the most dangerous assignment one could receive because the banner being what kept a battle unit together and fighting as one, taking out the banner would sow confusion. The flag bearer was therefore a prime target of the enemy.

The Bible says the Lord is our banner (Exodus 17:15). Isaiah 11:10 says “the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner to the people, and the Gentiles shall seek him.” Jesus stood high on the hill of Calvary, targeted by all the enemy’s host, drawing fire to himself, crucified in our place so we could live.

Now he calls us to hold the banner high, to not let it fall, for there are those who, if they are to successfully wage their war, need to be able to see the banner we hold high. It means becoming a target, attracting the hostile fire of the Enemy and is forces. Holding the banner means we have dropped our both defensive an offensive weapons, standing exposed, drawing fire to ourselves. Still, it is an honor to be a banner bearer for Christ.