The Greatest Sacrifice

Tornado spotted near Venus, FL this past week

     This past week as we vacationed with our daughter, son-in-law and two of our precious grandchildren, we had the opportunity for sweet conversation.  My daughter shared with me that she never realized how much love you could have for your children.  She said that you would be willing to give up your life to save your child.  I told her that I remembered that feeling, and in fact, it never goes away no matter how old your children are.
     Little did we know a week ago that those words were almost prophetic as we heard the story this week of Heather Town who was killed by a tornado while protecting her three year old daughter.  This mother of three held her child so tightly that a few rib bones were cracked as the tornado struck her double wide trailer sending her and the child flying 200 feet.  Unfortunately, Heather did not live but neighbors heard a child crying and came to the rescue of the three year old still wrapped tightly in her mother's arms.  She was rushed to the hospital and is recovering.  This story is a perfect example of the deep love a parent has for her child.  While this account touches our hearts, there is an even greater sacrifice we can read about in God's Word.

Trailer where Heather Town lived courtesy of Fox 13 News

     In his letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul wrote:  "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost."  The remarkable thing is that God loved us so much that He sent His only Son into this world to die for us!  This is made even clearer by the Apostle John who wrote these words:  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him"(John 3:16-17).  Now this is what true love means.
     Furthermore, Paul writes in his letter to the believers in Rome:  "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).  We, who have turned our backs on God and lived for self in our sin nature, were deemed worthy by God's own choosing for salvation.  This is amazing.
     We can understand a mother or father who would willingly give their life for their child as the mother who died protecting her daughter in the storm.  This is a devotion we can all relate to; however, God loved us even while we did not care for Him.  In fact, He loved us so much that He sent His own precious Son to be a sacrifice for our sins.  By His blood, we are set free from sin and death.  What He suffered on the cross is hard for us to fathom.  Yet, He did this willingly taking our place to satisfy the demands of the Law.
     Without a doubt, we know we would be willing to give up our lives if necessary to save our children or grandchildren.  However, consider how we would feel about giving up our lives for our worst enemy or someone who has hurt us.  This is what Christ did for us.  We were God's enemies.  Still, He ransomed us out of a love that took His Son to the cross.
     While we mourn the loss of this young mother who gave her life to save her child, we must not lose sight of the life saving sacrifice of Jesus Christ for those whom God has called.  If you are a believer, this should make your heart draw even nearer to our God.  If you have never committed your life to Christ, then, today is the day of salvation.  He died that we might live.  Take a moment to think on this, pray over this tremendous sacrifice offered for our sakes while we were still far from God.  Then, live each day for His glory and receive His forgiveness.  His death brought life eternal to those who come to know Him as Lord and Savior.   This is the greatest sacrifice.  Selah!

I welcome your thoughts on this devotion.  Please leave a comment.