ODJ: good call
December 26, 2011
Love your neighbour as yourself (v.31).
READ: Mark 12:28-34
Early in 2011, a sports coach made the best decision of his career. Tom Walter, the coach of the university sports team, chose to give up one of his kidneys so that one of his players could live. A new player, Kevin Jordan, had been stricken with a disease that attacked his kidneys and left them functioning at just 8 percent. None of his family members was a donor match for a kidney transplant, but Coach Walter was! “When we recruit our guys, we talk about family and making sacrifices for one another. It is something we take very seriously . . . . To me, it was a no-brainer,” he said. Good decision, Coach!
Selfless giving is something that should mark the lives of true believers in Jesus. As John the Baptist prepared the way for the Saviour, he preached, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry” (Luke 3:11). The prophet taught that selfless giving is part of God’s plan for His people. If you have two healthy kidneys, give one to someone who has none.
Jesus would later teach about what it means to truly love and sacrifice for our neighbours. He said, “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:31-34). Just prior to stating this command, He revealed the “most important” one: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength” (vv.29-30). Note, however, that He also said loving our neighbours is “equally important” (v.31).
The way we love others is a direct reflection of our love for God. When we choose to selflessly give to another, we reflect the most selfless act of all time—Jesus’ death that we might be saved and that we might live (John 15:13).
When others need you, make the right call. —Tom Felten
What is God asking you to selflessly sacrifice for someone today? Why is showing love for others through giving such an important thing to God?
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