Lay Down Your Life

Fundamentally, we're to be servants to one another, determined in the words of Romans 12:16 to “…live in harmony with one another…[not being] proud…[or] conceited…”  (Romans 12:16).   For as “…Jesus Christ laid down his life for us, we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”  (1 John 3:16).

In June of 2012, Meghan Vogel was running away for her high school in the 3200 meter race in the Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus, OH.   And frankly, Meghan was running well, close to finishing the race, with only 20 meters to go.  But just then, her closest opponent Arden McMath from a rival high school, collapsed right in front of Vogel.  And then the shocker occurred, the unexpected occurred, the counter-intuitive occurred:  Meghan Vogel, stopped and helped Arden McMath to her feet, carrying Arden across the finish line, making sure Arden was in front, so Arden would finish ahead of her.   As you might imagine, folks were stunned -- and impressed:  what a selfless act!  And with that the media pounced on the story, and Meghan became an overnight sensation.  But Megan couldn’t understand the fuss. "It's...crazy. I can't understand why everyone wants to talk to me…people [keep] telling me that this was such a powerful act of kindness…[calling me a hero]…[but] I don't consider myself a hero. I just did what I knew was right and what I was supposed to do."  http://espn.go.com/high-school/track-and-xc/story/_/id/8010251/high-school-runner-carries-fallen-opponent-finish-line

   

Jesus couldn’t agree more:  kindness, selflessness is what we’re supposed to do, even with our opponents.   I mean in a world that just races ahead of each other, we’re called to stop for one another, especially during the falls and crashes of life.

Let us stop for one other, especially during the falls and crashes of life.  For in a hurting world we don’t need more hurt, we need more healing – more compassion – more love -- that turns the other cheek, that goes the second mile.   Go the second mile; “…live in harmony with one another…Do not pay anyone evil for evil…If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with one another…”  (Romans 12:16; 17-18).  

For as “…Jesus Christ laid down his life for us, we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”  (1 John 3:16).  Lay down your life for your brothers and sisters, emulating Jesus who is a sacrificial Savior -- a counter-intuitive Christ -- the Prince Of Peace!