His Life for Mine

Bible Reading: John 10:14-18

“Why would Jesus allow Himself to be killed if He were really God?” Blake asked his youth group leader. “I don’t get it!” Mr. Carter did his best to explain, but Blake still thought it made no sense.

A few weeks later, Blake joined the group on a campout at a national park. Before heading off, they met with Mr. Davis, a forest ranger. He told them about his work and even let them climb up the watchtower where he regularly checked for fires. Then the boys and Mr. Carter left and headed deep into the woods.

The next day, the group awakened to the smell of smoke in the air. “There must be a fire in the forest somewhere,” Mr. Carter said. He tried to call the park office but couldn’t get any reception on his phone. “We don’t know where the fire is,” he told the boys with a worried look, “and if we start moving, we might head closer to the blaze.”

“Look!” Blake called out. “A helicopter!”

The boys whooped as a helicopter zoomed in and hovered over their campsite. Within a few minutes, they were all inside and taken to safety.

As the boys talked excitedly about their narrow escape, a sheriff came in. “Where’s Mr. Davis, the forest ranger?” someone asked. “Was he able to see where we were from the watchtower?”

The sheriff nodded sadly. “He spotted your campsite and radioed your location right before a burning tree fell on the tower.”

Blake gasped. “You mean he…he died? But why didn’t he leave sooner?”

“He refused to leave before you boys were located,” the sheriff said. “He stayed and saved your lives instead of his own. If he hadn’t…well, you wouldn’t be here now.” Blake was stunned.

Later that evening, Mr. Carter talked with Blake. “Does what Mr. Davis did help you understand why Jesus was willing to give His life for us?” Mr. Carter asked. “He could have chosen not to die, but then we couldn’t have been saved from our sin. He died in our place because He loves us—and then He rose again! Everyone who trusts Him as their Savior will live with Him in heaven forever.”

“I…I get it now,” Blake said in a trembling voice. “I want to trust Him as my Savior too.” – Jan L. Hansen

How About You?

Did you know Jesus sacrificed His life for yours? You can’t save yourself, but Jesus willingly died so you could be saved and have eternal life with Him. Have you put your trust in Him as your Savior? If not, won’t you do that today? (See “Have You Heard the Good News?” on page 108.)

Today’s Key Verse:
John 10:17-18 I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. (CSB)

Today’s Key Thought:

Jesus willingly died for you