No Greater Love

She is yelling and screaming; there is nothing we can do to help the situation! There we are, my husband and I, watching the nurse insert tubes into our daughter’s arms as she fruitlessly looks for viable veins to conduct a hormone test for our daughter.

As a parent, you want to protect your children from any pain or sorrow. My husband could not stomach the scene of our five-year-old daughter looking at us with agony. Her eyes begged us to intervene, not understanding why we are allowing the nurse to poke and prod into her tiny little arms.

Eventually, we decided it was best for my husband to leave the room as the nurse tirelessly attempted to facilitate this very important test that would ultimately rule out a cancer diagnosis.

Although watching my daughter cry, moan, and groan was so difficult for me to watch, somehow, I managed to keep my emotions together.

After at least an hour of what seemed like torture, my husband finally steps back into the room and we both, with tears in our eyes, agree that our daughter had had enough for the day.

So, we left without completing this very important test. Words could not express how frustrated we were. We both took off from work. We felt awful that our daughter had such a traumatic experience. Most of all, we hadn’t accomplished anything as far as our daughter’s health was concerned.

Later that day, I decided to take my daughter out to lunch. That was the least I could do after the day she had. After lunch, my daughter connected with two little girls at the restaurant’s playground. I just could not shake off the frustration from the day. I found myself asking God, “What was the purpose of what we went through today?” My daughter was having medical issues, and we needed to rule out cancer. This was the first step, and we had already hit a roadblock. A wasted day as far as I was concerned!

I thought about how hurt and helpless my husband and I felt as the nurse continually shoved needles into my daughter’s uncooperative veins as my daughter cried out in agony. I knew the nurse had well intentions and was only doing her job, but to watch our daughter cry profusely was a hard thing to bear as a mother and father.

Suddenly, something hit me! I asked myself, How did God feel when He watched His only begotten son die on the cross to make atonement for our sins and to make it possible for us to have a relationship with our heavenly Father? Just imagine how God felt watching his only begotten son be bruised, crushed, and chastised for our sins so that we could be healed and live in the fullness of God’s glory (Isaiah 53:5).

According to Mathew 27:46, Jesus cries out while He is being crucified on the Cross, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).” God hadn’t forsaken Jesus. God who knows all things knew that mankind would need redemption and even before the foundation of the world as so the lamb, Jesus Christ, was slain (Revelation 13:8). This sacrifice was later revealed during the earthly crucifixion.

I thought about the events of the day and thought about how difficult it was for me to watch my only daughter go through such a painful experience. I thought about the unconditional love I have for her and how I would do anything for her, including give up my own life. This is the same kind of love God has for us! There is no greater love than the love of a man who would give up his life for a friend (John 15: `13, NIV). What an epiphany!

My perspective shifted, and all I could do was thank God for the sacrifice He made for you and me. If I am being honest, I am not sure I would be willing to sacrifice my only daughter, but “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16, NIV).

Salvation is free through the sacrificial lamb, Jesus Christ. All we must do is believe that Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead for healing, redemption, and freedom. The Bible also so says, if we declare with our mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead, we will be saved (Romans 10:9). For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved (Romans 10: 10). If you haven’t received Christ and would like to receive Christ today, say this simple prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I know that I am a sinner. I ask you to forgive me for my sins of omission and commission. I believe your son, Jesus Christ, died for my sins and rose from the dead so that I could have a relationship with you and have everlasting life. I welcome Jesus into my life as my Lord and my Savior and put all my trust into Him. I pray these things in Jesus’ name.

Amen

Biblical quotes in this text are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.