Devotion for the Fourth Week of Easter

As many of you know, I am a history buff. Recently I was reading a book that was published some time ago, Thirteen Days to Glory by Lon Tinkle. This book is about the battle of the Alamo. The Alamo is a sacred shrine in Texas where 183 defenders held against a huge Mexican army led by Santa Anna in order to give the Texas Army more time to organize. On March 3, 1836, two hours before dusk, the Mexican guns quit firing. Col. William Travis lined his men up in a single line inside the Alamo. He told them no reinforcements were coming and that their destiny was sealed. "Our doom is certain," Travis told the weary men. Travis then pulled his sword from its sheath and drew a line in the dirt floor in front of them and asked every man who was determined to stay in the Alamo and die to cross the line.

According to this book, Topley Holland was the first man across the line. Others quickly followed--Daniel Cloud, Micajah Utry, Davy Crockett. Colonel Jim Bowie was sick and unable to cross the line so he called for help and four men sprang to the side of his cot and lifted him over the line as the other men cheered. They made the choice that counted most and the Republic of Texas was born out of their shed blood.

There are too many Christians who glibly say, "Oh, yes, we follow Jesus." But they know nothing of sacrifice, nothing of being the body of Christ, nothing of continuing Jesus’ earthly ministry. Don’t be like one of those who are Christians one hour a week. Jesus gave himself for us. We can give our time, talents and treasures for others.

Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many."
Mark 14:23-24