And going a little farther, He fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
Matthew 26:39 (ESV)
Why does sacrifice move us so? I came across this story in the *Omaha World Herald.
On February 22, 1944 in Sheffield, England, Tony Foulds was 7 years old, and he was playing with other children in Endcliffe Park, an oasis of green surrounded by terraced houses. After five years of war, including German attacks on Sheffield’s steel and armament plants, the children were very accustomed to hearing planes. This one, however, was coming in low just above the chimney tops and it didn’t sound right.
The B-17G Flying Fortress nicknamed “Mi Amigo” was on a mission—a daring daylight raid on the Aalborg airfield in occupied Denmark, a key fighter base that protected Germany from Allied bombers. Mi Amigo was hit in the attack and it was limping back across the North Sea to its base in Chelveston, England. One engine was spitting oil—barely working—and daylight was visible through the tail.
The weather was bad. When the plane broke through the clouds it was over Sheffield, 80 miles northwest of the base. The pilot circled when he saw a perfect place to land on the stretch of green. He waved his arms vigorously to warn the children, but they just waved back. Lt. John G. Kriegshauser, circled three times—and then resolutely turned his plane into the nearby woods—still trying to rev up his only working engine but failing to gain altitude. The plane crashed.
Tony Foulds was 17 years old when he fully realized the sacrifice made on his behalf. Because the crippled plane did not land on Endcliffe Park to avoid a group of children, a crew of 10 American airmen lost their lives. Tony’s sorrow was so great, he said, “I killed these lads” and he meant it!
Jesus gave His life for me. I killed Jesus—or more truthfully—my sin killed Jesus. I have not remained blissfully unaware of my sin, like a 7-year-old. Instead, I now fully comprehend the significance of His sacrifice with the keen awareness of a grateful 17-year-old. His sacrifice is just too beautiful to be ignored.
*February 22, 2019