shani4jc

Several years ago, I heard a story about a mom who gave her life in order to save the life of her young child.  They had been in a parking garage that collapsed.  They were both trapped beneath the rubble with no way out.  The roof had caved in on top of them and they were imprisoned beneath the incredible weight of the cement.  Miraculously, they both survived the initial impact.  However, even though workers worked frantically, they did not find them for several days.  It was summertime and the temperature was raging.  The mom prayed frantically for someone to save them.  Her young child complained over and over about being thirsty.  The mom was beside herself, not knowing how she could comfort her child.  Finally, in desperation to do something, she freed one of her arms and scraped it over and over on the rubble on top of her in order to cause herself to bleed.  When she was able to draw blood, she then held her arm over her child’s face so the blood would drip into his mouth in order to give him some kind of liquid to drink.  This went on until shortly before the rescue workers found them.  When they were discovered, the child had been kept from dehydrating by his mom’s blood, but she, however, had died from the loss of blood and dehydration.  Every time I think of this story, I am moved to tears because of the sacrifice she made for her child.  As I look at my own children, I know I would do the same for  them.  However, I am not sure I could do it for my enemies.  But, that’s exactly what Jesus did.  He shed His own blood in order to save the lives of the very people who killed Him…and that includes all of us.  He poured out His blood to give us a chance at life…not just for the ones who loved Him, but for the ones who hated Him.  There is no greater love than the one that was shown on the cross…the love that cost Him His life.

“Surely He has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.  But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:4-5