Matthew 20:27-28 (NIV) - (Jesus said) "And whoever
wants to be first must be your slave just as the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."
In the Korean War, there was a young sergeant by the
name of Gardolibov.
Sergeant Gardolibov had been caught up in the blood
battle that was known as "Heartbreak Hill." During a lull in the shooting, a
rescue team was sent out to aid the wounded. By the time the medics found him,
the sergeant was dying, his hands paralyzed.
But death and paralyzed hands hadn't stopped the
sergeant from fulfilling his duty.
In that moment when a normal person directs his
thoughts and concerns to survival, the sergeant was still doing what he could to
keep the messages going through. In the conflict, a crucial communication wire
had been broken. Seeing the danger, Gardolibov had clenched the two broken
pieces of wire ends between his teeth.
The medics were moved by his devotion. I imagine you
are also touched by the sergeant who was faithful unto death.
As admirable as the sergeant's sense of duty was, it
pales in comparison to the sacrifice of our Savior.
Scripture tells us of how Jesus' innocent blood was
shed. It was shed not just to save a few comrades who might appreciate His gift.
No, Jesus died for people who hated and despised Him. He died for the very
people who had put Him on the cross and made mockery of Him as He was dying.
It is quite possible that the sergeant knew, as he
died, that his options were limited. He could hold those wires, or he could let
them hang loose. No other possibility presented itself.
In contrast we have a Savior who went through His
entire life fully aware that if humankind was to be saved, He would have to die.
It was a crushing burden to carry. Even so, Jesus did just that. As John had
plainly stated, He was the Lamb of God who would take away the world's sins by
carrying them to the cross.
Now, it's quite possible that Sergeant Gardolibov was
aware that family, friends, and those who lived after him would be proud that he
had done the right thing. In contrast the Savior's omniscience told Him that
many people in future generations would deny that He had ever existed -- let
alone made any kind of sacrificial satisfaction for humankind's sins.
In spite of all this disregard and disrespect from
those He had come to save, Jesus remained at His post, and finally showed
Himself to be faithful unto death. He continued on as a serving Slave for
humanity, giving His life so there would be a covenant of peace between
once-lost humanity and our forgiving God.
Paul understood Jesus' love and duty when he wrote to
the church in Rome (and to us): "God demonstrates His own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8, NIV).
THE PRAYER: Lord, history is filled with soldiers who
made great sacrifice for their comrades. I rejoice that in the battle against
Satan, Jesus made sacrifices for me. Seeing His great sacrifice, may I also be
willing to make sacrifices for others. This I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Pastor Ken Klaus Lutheran Hour Ministries All rights reserved; not to be duplicated without permission.
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