On October 21, 2013 a student walked into the Sparks Middle School in Nevada and opened fire killing a teacher and wounding several students. The teacher was a 45 year old veteran named Michael Landsberry. Now, admittedly this happened before at other schools albeit with many more numbers of killed and wounded. But there is something special here. This just wasn't just a murder--this was a sacrifice.
In today's day and age, we see sacrifice as something that is done to another. So when I write that Mr. Landsberry was a sacrifice, it can be perceived in a negative way. To be sure, sacrifice implies death which is always a negative thing. But the truth is this: when this student walked into the school and started shooting, everyone ran away from it...except Mr. Landsberry. Instead, he went TOWARDS the student, trying to give the student a chance of surrendering. Sadly, Mr. Landsberry was shot and killed which was then followed shortly by the student turning the gun upon himself. But again there was something special here. Mr. Landsberry, being a veteran, surely knew the possible outcome of confronting the student with a gun. But he sacrificed himself that the student and others would live.
Looking at this story, I couldn't help but notice that this is very reminiscent of Jesus and what He came to earth to do. He could've ran the other way. He could have ignored us. He could have destroyed everything and start over. But He didn't. He ran. TOWARD the very ones who would murder Him. Towards the very ones who would reject Him. Towards the very ones who would hate Him. Towards the very ones who call Him a devil. But there is something special here. He didn't even hesitate. He didn't even flinch. He just...came. Came to our defense. Came to our aid.
Mr. Landsberry, unfortunately, over time will be forgotten. But he will not be forgotten by those whom he impacted by his unselfishness. Jesus, however, still remains largely remembered. Even after 2000 years. Why? Because He impacted the whole world. And His death? Well, unlike Mr. Landsberry, it was followed by a resurrection. And He is coming. Again. Coming again? Yes! Why?
Because He can't bear to be be without us. He is coming. To save us fully. To take us home. To live with Him forever.
There is something special here.
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