Years ago, in the time between the World Wars, there was a very special
Christian school in England.
Staffed by teachers from around the
world, the students were blessed to find out how others lived. One year
an instructor shared his experiences when he worked in India as a
private tutor. The children were especially moved when they heard about
the children who were part of India's "untouchable" caste. In less time
than it takes to tell, the children decided to reach out to those
untouchables at Christmastime.
This they did through an annual
giving of Christmas toys to a village, which had many untouchable
children. The girls of the village always received a doll, and the boys
received an appropriate toy made for boys. The generous gesture greatly
pleased both groups of children.
Then one year a medical
missionary helped distribute those gifts. During the course of his visit
he told the children about another place where the boys and girls had
never heard about Jesus or the salvation He won for the world. The
doctor suggested that maybe the untouchable children would like to give
them some of their old toys. That would give him, he explained, the
opportunity to talk about God's great gift -- Jesus.
The children
liked the idea.
A week later the doctor returned to collect the
gifts. He was shocked by what happened. One by one the children filed by
and gave the doctor a doll or toy. Amazingly, the children gave their
new toys, not the old ones. When the doctor asked, "Why?" A little girl
spoke for the rest when she said, "Doctor, think what Jesus did for us.
He gave us His best, can we do anything less?"
The girl had it
right. Jesus always gave His best.
From the moment He was born,
past the day on the cross when He gave up the ghost, Jesus always did
everything that was necessary to save us -- and He did it right. When
Satan tempted Him in the wilderness and encouraged the Savior to cut
corners, Jesus declined and gave His best.
When He was challenged
at His trials, Jesus did not defend Himself; He did not lash out. He did
not demand retribution and vengeance upon those who were persecuting
Him. No, Jesus gave His best and was taken to the cross without
complaint.
Jesus always gave His best and in so doing won
forgiveness and salvation for us. Now He encourages all those who have
been saved to respond with a grateful heart.
And how should we
respond? The answer is simple: we do what Jesus did.
We give Him
our best.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, in thanksgiving for all the
Savior has done for me, may I give Him my best. Help me avoid Satan's
suggestions to cut back and respond to Your love with leftovers. This I
ask in the Name of my crucified and risen Lord. Amen.
Pastor Ken Klaus
Lutheran Hour Ministries All rights reserved;
not to be duplicated without permission.
