No greater love

In one of my earlier blogs, I mentioned how I used to spend many hours working on my car. This passion remained with me for many years until I realised how hard it was to keep my hands clean, and I found that I had less leisure time on my hands, so working on the car was no longer a high priority activity.

But before I got to that stage, I would spend a lot of time at the parts shop. My 2nd car was a 1979 VW Rabbit. In the US, that was the name given to the Golf at that time. I was the proud 3rd owner of this beautiful car. An elder woman had imported it from California when she retired to Jamaica, and I bought it from the guy who bought it from her. That guy had made some modifications to it, changing the manifold to equi-length pipes, changing the exhaust to an inch and seven-eights, and changing the shocks and springs. She flew like a bird with an irresistible growl, and cornered like a greyhound. That's the Rabbit, not the woman.

Anyway, my favourite parts store was in Cross Roads. An elderly man and his daughter ran it, and they employed a young man a few years younger than me. Don't remember his name, which is interesting, but I'll call him Peter. Peter was polite, knew his parts, diligent and good humoured. One Friday, I went into the store to buy some parts. Not sure why I remember it being a Friday, but I do. The daughter was very glum, so I asked her what was up. Shockingly, she told me that Peter was dead.

What?

She related the story. He went on a trip with his church to St Elizabeth, to a popular beach location. A large coach had taken the contingent, and they had a great day out, eating fried fish and enjoying the sea and beach. As early evening approached, the group was preparing to leave when another young man, Peter's best feiend, went out in the sea to wash off the sand so he could put on his shoes. Somehow he got caught by a strong under current and got pulled out to sea and under the water.  

Peter rushed out to help his friend. It was not long before both Peter and his best friend were in trouble. They struggled and fought, but as one seemed to be save, the other would get into trouble. This seesaw struggle went on for some time until they were both getting tired.

Peter shouted, "Save yourself while you still can. Leave me!"
"No!" His friend cried.
"Leave me! There is no point in both of us dying. Go!"

Peter's friend left him. It took 5 days for them to find Peter's body.

I was in shook after hearing the story. A few days later when I had some time to reflect, I was in an even greater state of shock. Peter sacrificed his life for his friend! I asked myself - could I do that? After many minutes of soul searching I realised that I probably could not.

Why?

I was afraid. I didn't know what awaited me if I gave up my life for my friend, and I did not have the courage to find out.

So what did Peter have that I did not?

Then it dawned on me. Peter must have been a Christian! 

Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. (John 15:13 NIV) 

I then began to search, to find out what kind of love was this that gave Peter this courage.

'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?' 
Jesus replied, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and the greatest commandment. And the second is like it, 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:36-40 NIV)


Peace and Love