There are many things in life that I have a hard time understanding. The scale of the universe…time into eternity…what my wife is thinking. (OK, actually I know what my wife is thinking a fair amount of the time, such as “what was he thinking?”, but most other times I am clueless.) Of all the deep thoughts that fit into the category of head-scratching realities, the fact that Jesus died for me and for you is at the top of the list. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NIV. This is truly mind-boggling. But the wonder of it does not diminish the simple fact – it is true.
I heard a story a few years back that gave me a new perspective on this. It seems a little girl, 7 years old, was dying of a rare blood disorder. The doctors had done what they could with medicine, but the prognosis was grim. In a final effort to save the little girl’s life they offered a new treatment option that had shown promise. If they found a perfect blood match they could perform a special blood transfusion and potentially cure the little girl.
The parents said yes and the search of databases begin. The parents plus aunts, uncles, and all extended family members were tested but no match was found. When the results returned the father looked at his wife and asked, “What about Billy?” The mother, heart-broken, dropped her head, hoping not to have this question posed. With a deep sigh, she said, “we can ask him.”
The results of the test showed a perfect match. The news was bittersweet to the parents as they knew what they were asking of Billy would mean some pain and discomfort for their little boy, but it was their final option. They called their 5-year old son into the room with the doctor and asked him.
“Billy, Annie is very sick. The doctors have said she won’t live much longer without special help. You see her blood is where the sickness is and she needs new blood.”
Billy listened wide-eyed, tears forming and flowing as he thought about his big sister not being there anymore.
“But Billy,” said the Dad, “There is hope. You see there is a person who was a perfect match to Annie. A person who can give her blood that can make her sickness go away.”
Hope leapt into Billy’s eyes. “Really, Daddy? That makes me happy. But Daddy, why do you and Mommy still look so sad?”
“Honey, you are the perfect match and it would mean you would have to undergo a procedure to give your blood to Annie,” the Mother said choking back tears. “But it means your sister will be able to live.”
At this Billy became quiet, his little brow furrowed. Shortly he asked one question. “You mean if I give my blood, Annie can live and play, and make you smile Mommy.”
“That’s right honey. You’re the only one who can do it.”
A troubled look crossed Billy’s face for a moment, but then he brightened as if a pleasing thought crossed his mind. “OK Momma. If it will make you happy. I will do it.”
The medical personnel quickly began making the arrangements. Billy was given a few minutes alone with his parents. His Dad knelt down and gave him a big hug and told him what a brave young man he was. Billy’s smile was sad, but it was evident he wanted to be brave and please his Daddy. Momma held his hand and looked him in the eye and said, “Billy, this is the most loving thing you can ever do for your sister. I am so thankful for you, son.” While a tear ran down her face, she was also giving Billy a smile. Billy leaned into his Momma’s hug.
“That’s a happy tear, right Momma? Like you told me last year when Aunt Sally got married. I wondered why you were crying and smiling and laughing all at the same time, but you said they were happy tears.”
“That’s right dear. That’s a happy tear, because my little boy is going to help save my little girl’s life.”
Soon the nurse came and took Billy away to prep him. He cried a little as he looked back at Momma and Daddy, but he tried to smile so they could be happy tears.
In the transfusion lab, Annie, pale and listless, was wheeled in and connected to the blood transfer machine. Two nurses bustled about checking vitals on machine and patient, making sure the procedure had the highest possible chance for success.
A little later Billy was wheeled in, his clothes replaced with a hospital gown, a pic line already inserted in his arm ready to begin the blood draw. Because he was so young, a parent, Momma, was allowed in the room. Billy’s face was tense, something significantly out of place on one so young. When he saw Momma he relaxed a little. Then he saw his sister Annie lying on the gurney on the other side of the machines. His look became determined. “This is going to help Annie, right Momma?”
“Yes dear, Annie is going to be able to recover because of what you are doing.”
“Then I’m happy Momma. I’m glad this will help Sissy.”
A few minutes later a nurse bent down to let them know the procedure was about to start. Billy bravely squeezed Momma’s hand a little tighter.
“OK” he said as he looked into Momma’s eyes. The machine was switched on, and a quiet whirring began. Within just a few minutes Annie’s color began to change as her blood was removed, cleansed and then mixed with Billy’s healthy blood. Billy broke his gaze from Momma just long enough to look at Annie and to see the change. He turned back to Momma.
A tear was now running down his cheek. “How much longer Momma?”
“Not much longer,” she said as she too had turned to notice the change in Annie. Hope was growing in Momma and Billy could see it.
“Will it hurt Momma?”
“I’m sorry dear, does the pic line hurt.”
“No Momma. I mean when all my blood is gone and I’m dead. Will it hurt?”
Momma gasped. Billy had misunderstood. He didn’t realize he was only giving a little of his blood to mix with his Sissy’s blood. He thought he was giving it all…
‘You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’ Romans 5:6-8
Jesus held no illusions when He came to earth. He came on a rescue mission. There were no other options. It was His blood that was going to save the day.
But unlike Billy, Jesus was shedding all His blood for ALL mankind. Every person who has ever lived, was alive then, or was to live in the future were being given an antidote to the terminal illness of sin.
He was also different from Billy, He didn’t just think He was going to die, He knew He was going to die. He knew not only pain and suffering were in His path, but humiliation and, sadly, rejection. Yet He bravely faced it.
‘In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!’ Philippians 2:5-8
Jesus was God, who became a man, who walked this earth for 30+ years, and at the culmination of His earthly life, He paid the penalty for sin for everyone – for you and for me. And then He put an exclamation mark on this selfless act by rising from the dead three days later and ascending into heaven. He sits there today at the right hand of God the Father. But He isn’t grim-faced. No, He has a warm and inviting smile and His arms are outstretched toward us, beckoning with His nail-pierced hands.
“Come to me. Come home. Lay down your striving and join me. We have much to talk about. And in the time you have left on earth there are things to do, things that only you and I can do. Come home to me and let’s talk. I love you and I desire to live with you and to put my Holy Spirit inside you to help you from now on.”
Say yes to Jesus, my friend. You will never be the same.
Blessings upon you.
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