Evan was a young man who had become debilitated by a heart condition during his teenage years that left him in a wheel chair. At the rate that he was weakening, there was not much hope of seeing his twenty first birthday. In contrast, his younger sister, Patty had always been the picture of health and was very athletic. Evan loved to be a spectator and attended all of his sister’s sports competitions. They were very close and modeled an awesome sibling love for one another. Evan shared in Patty’s accomplishments. He took great joy in cheering Patty on to victory.
One day, Patty contracted a very rare virus that attacked her lungs. Within twenty four hours, the virus rendered her one lung completely useless and had destroyed half of her other lung. Placed at the top of the transplant list, she received a donor lung, but her body rejected it. Her only hope to receive another lung was to be gifted one from a family member. Evan would be a perfect match, and the only viable donor; but that would hasten his already foreboding death. This information was being discussed, in private, by the parents and the doctor. It meant life for their daughter and a much more shortened life expectancy for their son. Evan overheard the discussion and went immediately to Patty and offered her one of his lungs. Both in tears, Patty turned down his offer. Then Evan said, “You have done many exciting and great things and I have lived through your accomplishments. My life only exists in you. Don’t take that away from me. This is my opportunity to do something really great with my life.” Their parents and the doctor had overheard and observed this incredible conversation.
We hear of people who spontaneously rescue others at the cost of their own life. Giving one’s life for another is the supreme sacrifice and act of love. Some do it to save a family member or a good friend; but some do it for complete strangers, acting in total abandonment of their own life.
Our lives have been saved by Jesus Christ laying down His life for us while we were yet sinners and strangers to God.
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
As part of his final instructions, before His death; Jesus talked to His disciples about His love for them and all who believe on Him:
“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. (13) Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (14) Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. (15) Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:12-15).
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