A Fearless Intermediary
June 3, 2016
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Haus, the adopted German Shepherd, cannot read a calendar.
He had no way of knowing that Friday the 13th is supposed to be an unlucky day.
Nor did Haus know that the DeLucas, the family who had adopted him, owned a house near a Florida state park. Haus could not have understood such state parks can be a fine habitat for rattlesnakes, cottonmouths and other dangerous critters.
All Haus knew is that an unfriendly beastie had managed to slither under the DeLuca's backyard fence and was advancing toward the family's seven-year-old daughter. Watching from the home's backyard porch, the girl's grandmother saw Haus jump in front of the little girl and fight an unseen something in the grass.
When the battle was over, Haus was bleeding.
A quick trip to the vet showed that Haus had been bitten three times by an eastern diamondback rattler. Immediately, pain killers and anti-venom were administered. The vets explained that treating the dog would be expensive. Each day Haus stayed in the intensive care unit of the hospital could cost over $1,000 and each shot of the anti-venom would be over $600.
Haus was having four or five of those anti-venom shots each day.
Friends of the family set up a GoFundMe account so kind people could help the DeLucas pay for their dog's treatment. They set a goal of $15,000.
Asking people to give $15,000 to save someone else's dog is asking a lot -- even if that dog is a hero.
Would it surprise you if I said that people have given $35,000 to saving Haus, the German Shepherd? That magnificent outpouring of love is twice as much as had been hoped for.
Two-thousand years ago God's Son was born into this world. Although nobody could have demanded it of Him, His job was to put Himself between sinful humankind and save them from its just punishment. To accomplish that purpose, Jesus was rejected and despised. He was ignored, denied and betrayed. He was beaten, whipped, spit upon, crowned with thorns, and crucified.
There was no amount of anti-venom that could save Him. It was necessary for Jesus to die so that all who believe on Him might be forgiven and be saved.
Now the question is how should the world respond to what Jesus has done?
Should it thank Him or hate Him? Will it praise Him or will it curse Him? The answers to those questions are ongoing. Still, I think it must be right and proper if we show our appreciation for the Savior with as much enthusiasm as we would for Haus, the adopted German Shepherd.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may I be thankful for the Savior whose sacrifice has won forgiveness and eternal life for me. In Jesus' Name may I always give thanks. Amen.
