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According to the Pattern

Robert D. Pace

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Apologetics

Christ Died for the Unworthy

By Robert D. Pace

 

During the Vietnam War a West Point graduate marshaled a group of new recruits into battle.  The Lieutenant did his job to keep his unit from ambush and death.  One evening, while under attack, a soldier was left mortally wounded in the field.  From a distance the Lieutenant heard him calling out in pain.  The officer knew any attempt to save him would be gravely dangerous, but eventually the young lieutenant left the trench and crawled toward the dying soldier.  The private was rescued but the Lieutenant was killed.

After the private returned to the States, the Lieutenant’s parents heard the private was in their vicinity.  They wanted to meet this soldier that was rescued at the expense of their son’s life so they invited him to dinner.  To their astonishment he arrived at their house drunk.  He was ill-mannered and annoying.  He told off-color jokes and showed no gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice of the Lieutenant that saved him.  The grieving parents did their best to make the man’s visit worthwhile.

At evening’s end, the dad closed the door behind the unthankful soldier and the mother collapsed in tears.  She said to her husband, “To think that our precious son died for somebody like that.”

As we take Communion today let’s remember this is exactly what Christ did for us.  “While we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”

 

—1 Corinthians 11:23-26—

“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; (24)  and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me."  (25) In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."   (26) For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes” (NASB).