Thoughts for another day

July 10, 2009

Today's verse: Jn. 15:13. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Born of royal lineage, He lived a simple life. He then started teaching and what He taught was unalloyed truth. Hypocrites didn’t bother Him, nor was He afraid to speak the truth in all circumstances. He always had time for the down trodden and made it a ‘one man mission’ to save the miserable lost people who wallowed in sin, particularly those held at arm’s length by the shenanigans of ultra society and self appointed guardians of morality and status. He even endured stinging criticism for healing those bent by disease and sin. He called every person His friend and in everyone, He beheld the glory of His Father, though trapped by guilt, sin and immorality; and He intended to ‘untrap’ this glory so they could shine forth in the august halls of His abode, where He’d set up mansions for them! His close confidantes didn’t realize the extent of His love for them until they saw it in His eyes, even when His body ‘was a mess of flesh and bone’ hung on a tree. His enemies saw His defeat; He knew it was His victory!

Two thousand years later, Pril, a young girl of 18 in a grimy slum in north Mexico, was gripped in pain and shame. She had just been raped by her uncle, a burly man of 44, with a daughter older than her. She saw the sickle on the floor of the barn where she was deflowered. She decided: The sickle will slice off her uncle’s head first and then her own. Between sobs, she steeled herself to do it. She knew she had no other way as complaining to her own father would probably make that drunkard do the same thing. She picked up the sickle and was about to move out, when her eyes fell upon a wooden cross on the wall of the barn and she saw Him with His head bowed. Suddenly, He lifted His head and looked at her. She felt His love wash her…all her shame and dirt left her. A question – ‘I loved you so much, I laid down My life for you My child. And what’re you doing? Killing yourself? Do you think you’re so worthless?’ The sickle dropped out of her hand. The voice again: ‘Now go, clean yourself and I will lead you henceforth.’ Pril had a bath and walked out of that slum and kept walking, she knew not where. Nearing a gate, she collapsed. When she awoke, she was on a bed and beside her was a kind faced woman. To cut a long story short, Pril worked with that lady to form the most adorable home for children who either had no parents or found no place in society.

Years later, as an elderly matron, sitting in her chair, she remembered, ‘Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends.’ A smile clasped her lips and she whispered, ‘I know Lord Jesus, I know!’