April 18, 2019 (Article originally run November 16, 2016, "Amazing Sacrifice") - A young girl who had cancer was in dire need of a blood transfusion. Because of the rare nature of her blood type, donors were few and far between.
However, she had a little brother who was seven years old who had the same blood type. His parents explained to him that if his sister didn't get the blood she needed, she would die. They also told him it was his choice if he wanted to give her his blood. The boy thought for a while, then with a big grin on his face said he would do it if it meant saving his sisters life.
So the big day came for the transfusion and the boy jumped up on the table with a big smile on his face. The nurse asked him why he was doing this and he proudly stated that he was giving so his sister could live. The transfusion started and the boy kept smiling and joking with his parents and the staff of the hospital. A few minutes into transfusion the nurse went to reassure him that it would only be a little while longer.
The boys facial expression changed as she spoke and she could tell he was concerned. Then with a timid voice the boy asked the nurse, " When am I going to start dying?" It wasn't until then that everyone realized he thought he had to give her ALL of his blood. They realized that this seven year old boy had made the commitment in his mind, that he was willing to die so that his sister could live.
Its one thing to give your life for someone you love but to give your life for someone who doesn't know you takes an even more extraordinary person. When Jesus went to the cross for us two thousand years ago you may not have been born yet but he knew who you were. He died for you that day because He loved you even then. "A greater love has no man than to lay down his life for his friends." (John 15: 13) You see whats so good about Jesus sacrifice, is that death for you and I died that day. That sounds kind of strange but Jesus actually "killed" the power that death had over us by dieing in our place. Paul quotes the prophet Hosea in 1 Cor. 15:55 describing what Jesus did that day when he said, "O death where is your victory? O death where is your sting?"
Another thing that makes the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for us so amazing, is that the veil that separated man from God was torn open and now we no longer have to offer blood sacrifices for our sins because the perfect "Lamb of God" was sacrificed in our place. No longer does one have to worry if he has done enough to get into heaven. Romans 10: 9-10 reveals to us the truth that "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."
Just like the boy in the story was willing to do for his sister, Jesus willing did when he went to the cross and died for you. That's what makes Jesus sacrifice so amazing. All you have to do to experience the fullness of the grace He gave us that day is to confess, believe, and accept Him. He loves you that much.
I'm just Sayin,
Mike Belgard
