As we approach the 250^th anniversary of the United States of America, celebrations abound. Are we complaining about the countless problems in this nation, or are we thankful that we live in a country with more freedom than many around the world experience?

However, the freedoms we are able to enjoy were not free. We remember those who sacrificed everything, giving their lives to fight for our freedoms. Many lost spouses, parents, children, siblings, and friends. 

As great as these sacrifices were, there was another who sacrificed all for our freedom. John 3:16 tells us that God the Father loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, Jesus, that if we believe in Him, we will have eternal life. We will be forgiven and set free of the sin that separates us from God.

The story is told of a drawbridge operator who raised the bridge over the East River for ships to pass through, and then lowered the bridge for trains to pass over safely. He and his wife had no children, and after years of praying desperately for a child, they finally had a beautiful baby boy. He was their pride and joy. 

When he was four years old, the boy started asking his father what he did. The father told him about his job, and the little boy wanted to see the great drawbridge move. The father promised that on his fifth birthday he could go with him to work. The big day finally arrived, and the boy was so excited to see everything. His father showed him the control room with the buttons to push to raise and lower the drawbridge. Then they went down to take a closer look at the huge gears that controlled the bridge.

As the father was pointing out how it all worked, the little boy leaned over the railing to see more. Suddenly, before his father could pull him to safety, the boy fell into the gears far below, where the father could not reach him.

Then the unthinkable happened. As the father was desperate to find a way to save his son, the alarm sounded in the control room. That sound meant that a train was approaching, and the drawbridge was up. Now the father had only a split second to make the most painful decision he would ever have to make in his life.

His only son that he had waited so long for and loved so dearly was trapped in the gears. Approaching the open drawbridge was a train with hundreds of people. If he did not go lower the bridge, all those people would be killed. The father made the decision to sacrifice his son so the people could be saved.

He ran to the control room and hit the button to lower the bridge just in time. With tears streaming down his face and his heart in deep anguish, he watched the train passing safely over the river. As was the habit, the people in the train all smiled and waved to the operator. They had no idea of the great sacrifice this man had just made for them, the price he paid that they could safely pass over.

We have a Father in heaven who made this same decision for us. And we have a Savior, Jesus Christ, who made the greatest sacrifice of all, His very life.

Hope Ministries is a Christian counseling center, and we are here to help. If you would like to speak confidentially with someone, give us a call at 845-482-5300.