True Friends

By: Randal Myers

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Horror gripped the heart of the World War I soldier as he saw his lifelong friend fall in battle. Caught in a trench with continuous gunfire whizzing over his head, the soldier asked his lieutenant if he might go out into the open field between the trenches to bring his fallen comrade back.

"You can go," said the Lieutenant, "but I don't think it will be worth it. Your friend is probably dead, and you may get killed in the process."

The Lieutenant's words didn't dissuade the young soldier, so he clamored out of the trench and charged toward his fallen friend. He managed to reach his friend, hoist him onto his shoulder, and carry him back to their company's position. As the two of them tumbled into trench, the lieutenant could see that the brave young soldier was wounded and his friend was already dead.

"I told you it wouldn't be worth it," he said. "Your friend is dead, and now you are wounded."

"It was worth it, though, sir," the soldier said. "What do you mean, 'worth it'?" responded the Lieutenant. " Your friend is dead!"

"Yes sir," the private answered. "But when I got to him, he was still alive, and I heard him say 'Jim, I knew you'd come.'"

"I knew you'd come."

I heard this story first more than fifteen years ago and it has always brought home to me several important messages. First of all, we can all be reminded of the American soldiers who fight for freedom all around the globe. We are all thankful that Eric was returned to us safely and should remember the thousands of others who are in harm's way even today.

Our military takes pride in its commitment to rescue the wounded or captured and even retrieve the dead at almost any cost. I am certain the knowledge that ìsomeone will come to get meî brings great comfort and instills continued hope to those who fall into enemy hands. Our soldiers have proven time and time again their loyalty to their fellow soldiers and their determination to help the oppressed for whom they fight.

But this story also reminds me of a fight we Christians are also involved in. There is a war for souls going on. Millions around the world and thousands in our own neighborhoods are trapped behind enemy lines. Satan holds captive those who do not know the freedom that Jesus Christ offers to them. God has commissioned us to rescue them.

Do our lost friends have the same confidence in us that the wounded soldier had in his comrade? Will they someday be able to call my name and say, ìI knew you'd come?î The Church is designed to provide much for its members but we must never forget our primary mission as a church is the same as Jesus' stated mission; to ì seek and to save the lostî and ì to serve î others (Luke 19:10, Matthew 20:28). As his disciples, we must Save and Serve.

Next Sunday is what has come to be called Easter Sunday, and many around our neighborhoods and work places will make a special effort to attend a church service somewhere. It is a prime opportunity for us to invite and encourage them to worship with us at Highlands. We will be focusing on the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (the gospel) and its impact on each of us. What better way to be a true friend than to bring a guest with you? Don't forget to include in your invitation the time of Fun and Food at Christina Park afterwards. Let's make this a great weekend of reaching out. That's what Jesus would do.

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