The Battle of the Alamo - March 6

The Battle of the Alamo (February 23 – March 6, 1836) was a pivotal point in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under the president of Mexico General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna launched an assault on the Alamo Mission in San Antonio de Béxar (modern-day San Antonio, Texas). All but two of the 186 Texan defenders were killed. Santa Anna's perceived cruelty during the battle inspired many Texans—both Texas settlers and adventurers from the United States—to join the Texan Army. Buoyed by a desire for revenge, the Texans defeated the Mexican Army at the Battle of San Jacinto, on April 21, 1836, ending the revolution.

What spiritual lessons can we learn from The Alamo?

1) A few standing alone can change the world – 186 Texans against 4,000 Mexican soldiers seemed like it would be a blip in history. The fight should have been over in hours, not weeks. No one should have ever heard of the Alamo, but the longer the Alamo’s defenders held out, the more courage they would inspire in others. The cry “Remember the Alamo” would be the cry of soldiers later that year at the Battle of San Jacinto as they routed Santa Ana in 18 minutes.

People watch Christians to see whether we stand for our beliefs or back down. The majority can be wrong, and it is easy to not rock the boat and surrender quietly and peacefully. John the Baptist was willing to stand alone against King Herod because his principals would not allow him to ignore the sin before him. Had Paul not appealed to Caesar, he might have been spared prison and ultimate martyrdom, but his courage drove him to stand alone against Rome.

As Christians, we must stand for our principals and biblical values regardless of the size of the force against us. The bolder our stand, the greater influence we have on others to stand as well.

2) Have the courage of our convictions – When the Alamo defenders were confronted with the dire and untenable position they were in, they were given a chance to leave. History recounts that all but one man chose to stay and fight. Colonel Travis penned these immortal words in a letter to the people of Texas: “I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country. VICTORY OR DEATH.” They would fight to the death rather than surrender. To surrender would be an admission of their lack of convictions. Their courage has long outlived their culture. There was honor in dying for principal and beliefs.

As Christians, we are sometimes places in positions where we must face our enemy with death in the balance. The early church martyrs, the Reformers, nameless missionaries and church planters through history all willingly gave their lives for their master. “Deny Christ or die” were their choices, and like the men of the Alamo, they stood unflinchingly and died like warriors. Conviction is of no value if we do not have courage to back it up.

3) We are all together this fight – History has counted the famous men who fought at the Alamo that day. Davey Crockett, William Travis and Jim Bowie are names that everyone knows, but there other men who fought there. These men came from the north, the south, east & west. There were men from Germany, Scotland, Ireland, Mexico and freed former slaves. All these men gave the ultimate sacrifice and stood with each other. These men may have had individual prejudices, but in the fight they counted each other and depended on each other other as brothers and fellow warriors.

As Christians, we are part of a universal body. Our brothers and sisters are from every tribe, every nation, of every color and tongue. We are family, and we are in this battle together. Paul wrote “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored, every part shares in its joy. You are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:26-27