TO SAVE OTHERS

Some have heard about Heather Christensen, the woodwind instructor for the American Fork, Utah high school band. They were returning from a band competition in Idaho where they had won first place, but celebration quickly turned to tragedy. Reports stated that the bus driver slumped over the wheel. Ms. Christensen quickly reacted and took the wheel, trying to avoid a crash. The bus ran off the road and turned on its side. Christensen fell out of a window as the bus rolled. While several were injured, she was the only fatality. The band’s director said, “She loved her students, they were her life. I know she died trying to save them.” She will be remembered as someone who died to save others.

What about Christ? He gave His life trying to save others. How much is He remembered? How well is He honored? There are some similarities between Ms. Christensen and Christ, but there are also some important differences.

First of all, look at what Christ gave up. Our greatest desire is to go to heaven. Christ was there and left it to come here! “who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:6-7). I do not want to minimize this woman’s sacrifice, but she gave up no where near as much as Christ.

Second, think about who each one was trying to save. I do not know the relationship between her and the students. It was obvious she cared for them very much. Were there any strained relationships between her and any of the students? I do not know. However, none of them had hurt her the way we have hurt God with our sins. Nothing these students had done caused her to lose her life. Our sins put Jesus on the cross. “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

Third, from what were they saving people? Heather acted to save a few from physical death. Christ died to deliver all mankind from spiritual death. “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:2).

Finally, the cross was no accident. When Ms. Christensen left to go on this trip, she had no idea she would be giving up her life before the day was over. I believe her efforts were simply a reaction to an unplanned, unforeseen emergency. She probably did not really even thing about it, she just reacted. Would she have acted differently if there had been time to think it through and plan her next step? We will never know. However, we do know about Christ. He knew His life would lead to the cross. He prophesied about His own death several times. After all, that was the plan all along. “Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;” (Acts 2:23).

Heather Christensen will long be remembered and honored for her great sacrifice. Can we do any less for our Lord and Savior?
--Lamar