Save One
During the Holocaust, many Christians acted to save Jewish lives. I will never forget hearing the story of Berthe from France. A Christian widow hid her from the Nazis. Berthe was a young child in grave danger and yet she was saved by the courage of this widow. In that moment, she didn’t realize that she wasn’t just saving one but many lives. She’s not as well known as Oskar Schindler, Sempo Sukihara or Corrie Ten Boom, however the Mishnah (cherished document of the Jewish community) teaches “whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world.” Today, the widow’s action has resulted in saving 17 people. As Berthe came to Israel, married and had children, grandchildren and now even great grandchildren.
A story like this is important because so many Christians shy away from serving their local church or speaking up about their faith because they buy into the myth that they can’t do “great things” forgetting that we can all do something. Don’t believe that because you’re not preaching to many from a pulpit that you’re not empowered to preach to one - to save one. Two nurses in our church family recently told me of their opportunity to give the Gospel to a patient at work. Both said that they felt God had prompted them to simply share their faith in Jesus and offer to pray for the patient. What a perfect example of the words of Jesus coming to life. He prayed “Father, I pray that You be in them as I am in You and that we become one.” It’s as if JESUS was in the room offering grace and a fresh start - saving a life!
What those nurses don’t realize is the number of family members that may be impacted by that moment. If those patients give their hearts to Jesus, they’ll likely impact their kids and grandkids, an entire generation! One of our deacons told me he got the chance to walk a man through the sinner's prayer last week at a flea market! It doesn’t matter where you are, you can save one! Satan wants you to cower in fear and worry too much about their response or rejection of your offer. Satan wants you to “just keep to yourself” and “mind your own business.” But just like the Holocaust, many are on their way to a place filled with pain that they don’t expect. You have Jesus. You have the hope they need to be forgiven of their sin and given new life.
Take a moment and pray two things:
Holy Spirit, who do I see every week that You have designed me to reach?
Open my eyes to see each interruption or stranger as possibly a God-ordained encounter.