The talk was delivered at a Youth Club in Sunderland in Feb 08
Self Sacrifice and a climbing knife
Watch clip from 'The Day after Tomorrow' - 1:17:24 - 1:20:14
Sacrifice is an uncomfortable word. Self-sacrifice is even more uncomfortable.
We all sacrifice things for the greater good every day, but the interesting thing is, most of the things we call the 'greater good' mean they are good for us. Some of us sacrifice eating chocolate becasue it is to the greater good of keeping a trim figure. Some of us sacrifice not getting the new game or pair of trainers for the greater good of getting something better at a later date. Sacrifice is uncomfortable, but worth it for the greater good - our greater good.
Self-sacrifice is different, it too is uncomfortable, even painful and it is even for the greater good. It is just that the good is not necessarily ours.
In the video clip we have just seen Jack is heading to New York to rescue his son Sam from the storm and ice-age that is engulfing and destroying the western world. Being a Climatologist he knows what to do and how to do it. But getting to New York is harder that it looks.
He ends up walking with 2 colleagues across the frozen wastes around New York until the ground caves in exposing a snow covered shopping Mall. As Frank hangs through the floor attached to Jason and Jack he realises as the glass begins to crack and give way that the only hope for saving Jason and Jack is to cut the rope. Self Sacrifice for the greater good, but not for Frank. As Sam sits in a frozen library in New York, and as Jack and Jason lie on the roof of the shopping mall their lives are in the hands of Franks self-sacrifice.
Jesus once said this -
'For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.' (Mark 10:45)
He gave his life as a ransom, to buy back the lives of many. Was the greater good his? No, he came to serve, not be served. Who did he give his life for? The word Jesus uses is many - and the bible is clear, he means the world - past, present and future. In other words, you and me! Self-sacrifice.
Throughout history many have sacrificed their lives to save others. But Jesus was different. He gave his life not for friends and those who love him. If Frank had been tied to someone who had tried to take his life would he have cut himself loose or dragged the others wth him?
No, Jesus gave his life as a ransom for people who wanted nothing to do with him and lived without regard to him. Paul says that 'No-one seeks God, all have turned away' Romans 3:11-12) and yet Jesus cut the rope.
How do you respond to this?
Firstly, you follow his example. Daily, in small ways we are left with choices to put others before ourselves, to sacrifice what we want for others. Do you cut the rope of drag others down too?Do you stay watching TV and playing Wii or do you get up and do the hoovering so someoen else doesn't have to do it? Do you tell your friends the truth even when it is easier and more comfortable for you to lie?
But secondly, we must understand that when Jesus cut the rope, when he died on the cross and gave his life as a ransom, it was personal. He did it for you.
It was an act of rescue. So do you trust him, beieve you need rescuing and take he help offered. Do you believe him. Because that is what a Christian is.
So, what do you make of his self-sacrifice?