Tuesday, April 17, 2007

No Greater Love

Liviu Librescu survived the genocide of European Jews by the Nazis during World War II, but yesterday he did not survive America’s holocaust at Virginia Tech. As the gunman made his way through the building, Librescu barred the door with his own body so his students could escape through the second story windows. He lost his life and is a hero today.

Do you think Liviu ever wondered why his life was spared so many years ago? I didn’t know the man, but his life speaks volumes. He was a great teacher in Europe, Israel and the US. He touched many lives.

Yesterday’s survivors will look back and wonder why they were spared. They should look to the life of their professor. Everyone’s life has a reason. Liviu figured that out, lived it and eventually gave the ultimate sacrifice. He answered the door when death came calling and gave his students time to escape the wrath of a madman. “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” Keep these people in your prayers as they fight the grief and anger.

>*<

There is another one they called “rabbi”, “teacher” who gave his life for his students. His name is Jesus. He still calls people to follow. He stood between you and everlasting death and made the ultimate sacrifice for you, so you could have eternal life with God. When death knocked on the door for you, He took your place and answered with His life.

Your life matters that much to God. What will you do with that information dear pupil?

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Greetings, from Cindy.
My office mate and friend from graduate school is at Tech working on her doctorate in math. I was so relieved to hear that she and her family are fine, but she did say that they were awaiting word on some their friends and professors. That was yesterday, and I am hoping that they have received good news.
The tragedy really hit me for some reason. I suppose it comes from teaching in a college and realizing how open we are to attacks. Now, institutions all over will be evaluating their emergency response plans and making improvements to handle this sort of thing in the best way humanly possible.
I am confident that Virginia Tech will rise out of this and grow stronger, especially with the stories of heroism that will come out. Soon enough, the news media will move on and no longer sensationalize things so that the school looks like a breeding ground for terrorists, and then others will move in and make sure that the people that make up the community are spotlighted in human interest stories.
In the meantime, I am not a fan of the sports teams, but I have to say "Go, Hokies!"