Читать книгу Beyond the Horizon - Harry A. Renfree - Страница 66

February 29

A young woman was persuaded to teach a class of junior boys—one of the very tough tasks in the Sunday school. She had never made a full commitment to Christ herself and soon asked to be relieved of her position, claiming that she didn’t know where she was going herself. However, she was persuaded not to give up the class but to make a full surrender.

A new experience came into her life and a new note into her teaching. She began to give her all for her class. As a result, many of the boys in her class were led to make a profession of faith.

The major element of sacrifice in the Christian way causes some of us to back off.

Sacrifice was and is a hallmark of the Jewish faith, and the Old Testament is teeming with examples—sacrifice both for God and for one another. Perhaps the finest example of both is an incident in the life of David, just after he had become Israel’s King. The forces against him were mighty, both within and without. Without were the Philistines, who were in control of parts of Israel including Bethlehem. Fighting them from the fortified cave of Adullam, David was overheard to muse to no one in particular on a hot and stressful day, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem,” which was the place of his birth. He did not expect to be heard, but three of his mightiest soldiers set out at once, somehow broke through Philistine lines at Bethlehem, and brought back to their beloved master a jug of that water.

In the face of such devotion, David was so overwhelmed he could not drink the water. Instead, he poured it out as a sacrificial offering to God.

Jesus said this: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Yet His own love was immeasurably greater. He died not only for his friends, but also for His enemies.

As for us—for you and for me—His sacrifice still stands. Let us not forget it.