This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.— I John 3:16-18
A little boy was told by his doctor that he could actually save his sister's life by giving her some blood. The six-year-old girl was near death, a victim of disease from which the boy had made a marvelous recovery two years earlier. Her only chance for restoration was a blood transfusion from someone who had previously conquered the illness. Since the two children had the same rare blood type, the boy was the ideal donor.
"Johnny, would you like to give your blood for Mary?" the doctor asked. The boy hesitated. His lower lip started to tremble. Then he smiled and said, "Sure, Doc. I'll give my blood for my sister."
Soon the two children were wheeled into the operating room–Mary, pale and thin; Johnny, robust and the picture of health. Neither spoke, but when their eyes met, Johnny grinned.
As his blood siphoned into Mary's veins, one could almost see new life come into her tired body. The ordeal was almost over when Johnny's brave little voice broke the silence, "Say, Doc, when do I die?"
It was only then that the doctor realized what the moment of hesitation, the trembling of the lip, had meant earlier. Little Johnny actually thought that in giving his blood to his sister he was giving up his life! And in that brief moment, he had made his great decision!
GOING DEEPER:
- Read John 15:13. How does this Scripture apply to this incredible story of Johnny and his sister? Where is Jesus in this story?
- How can you apply this type of sacrificial giving to your own life?
11 comments:
Well, I am not sure if this is a true story or not, but I still got choked up. Father I pray for a heart like Johnny.
cas
CAS, I echo your prayer...Lord, give us the courage to be selfless today.
The reference (John 15:13):
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
I think this only begins to make sense when you realize that life is a gift; that we are each precious; and that we are called to be like Christ.
tba
very powerful
-LT
wow - definitely a powerful story - even more powerful when i think of a young child making the sacrifice.
I need to come to Christ like a little child - like THAT little child.
Guys - just a thought - let's lay down our lives for our wives this week! Starting yesterday, my son and I launched a plan to show my wife/his mother how much we love her by the things we do for her. He (a 10 year old) is opening the car door for her at every opportunity, and I am "scheming" a surprise a day for her - from now until I run out of ideas. The challenge is on, are you ready to meet it?
Count me in. Game on.
cas
Definitely a powerful one. I pray that when the opportunity comes that I'll have the devotion and courage to act like a Christian. No matter the cost.
OK, when I got home and said can I cook dinner, she almost fainted. OK, that should be somewhat of a telling sign, but anyway. Here we go.
I'm in...
also thanks for all the prayers I'm officially to the other side. I will have to write from home until I get the email stuff sorted out at work
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