No Love Bigger

I was told a story as a child that went something like this:

There was a man who worked as a bridge-keeper. His job was to raise and lower the drawbridge to allow boats to pass or to let the train pass on the tracks below. One day, the father decided to bring his young son to work with him. He warned his son not to wander, instructing him to stay by his side while he operated the bridge.

But as the father worked, the boy grew distracted. Curious, he wandered away from his father’s side and climbed onto the bridge, just as a train was approaching in the distance.

The father, seeing the train coming fast, realized with horror that his son was now on the bridge. He had no time to warn the boy or get him off the tracks. The drawbridge had to be lowered to allow the train to pass, but lowering the bridge while his son was on it would mean certain death for the boy.

The father was faced with a horrific choice: he could raise the bridge and save his son, but that would cause the train to crash, killing the many passengers aboard. Or he could lower the bridge, sacrificing his son to save the lives of the people on the train.

After a moment of agonizing decision, the father chose to lower the bridge, sacrificing his son to save the lives of the passengers.

Now, I don't know if this story is true or not, but it made a huge impression on me then and does to this day. It speaks of love and deep, painful, sacrifice.

John 15:13 tells us that, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." NIV

In the same way the father made an agonizing decision to save many, Christ made the ultimate sacrifice for us. His love for us was so great that He gave His life to offer salvation to all, knowing that it would bring suffering but ultimately result in eternal life for those who believe.

Let this parallel remind you of the incredible depth of God's love for you, exemplified in Jesus' sacrifice.

It is a love that calls us to reflect that love in our own lives, even when we face hard decisions and difficult people.

by Jeanette Stark - Monday, March 31, 2025