An endearing story is told about three friends who were allied soldiers in Paris, France during World War 2. One of the friends was killed during battle. His grief-stricken friends carried his body for nearly a mile until they came upon a church with a iron-fenced cemetery.
After knocking on the door, they asked the priest if they could bury their friend in the graveyard. In a gentle voice, the priest asked if their friend was Catholic. Their truthful answer brought disappointment. Since the deceased was Methodist, the priest couldn’t give his approval. “The grounds are reserved for Catholic burials only.” The friends understood and ambled back to pick up their friend’s body, hoping they’d soon reach another church and cemetery.
“Wait,” the priest called. “Why not bury your friend just outside the fence?” Though not their first choice, the two grieving, exhausted friends accepted this offer. With flowers from a nearby field to mark their friend’s gravesite, they retired for the night.
A week later the friends returned to pay their respects to their beloved friend. They searched the length of the fence but couldn’t find the burial place. Again, they knocked on the church door and again the priest greeted them. When they explained the reason for their visit, the priest grew quiet. Tears shimmered in his eyes.
“I couldn’t sleep for several nights. I thought of the love you had for your friend. How you carried his body until you found this church with its cemetery. And even through your grief and fatigue, you worked to give this man a proper final resting place.” His cheeks were wet with tears as he pointed to the graveyard. “Your friend is inside now. I moved the fence.”*
While this story powerfully reveals the ripple effect, the power that emanates from one act of love, a greater gift must be shared.
Because our sin divided us from a holy God, we were outside the fence, so to speak. Worse yet, the penalty for our sins was too great. No way could we pay it. Yet, because of His great love for us and His desire to remove what kept us apart, Jesus came and paid the price. He moved the fence! His death tore the veil that separated us. Jesus’ blood washed away our sins—the dividing factor that prevented a loving friendship with God the Father. (John 3:16)
If we accept what Christ did for us—His atoning death, resurrection, and ascension—we too are inside the fence. No longer outsiders.
Today, will you accept God’s gift of love?
*Information gathered from goodnewsunlimited.com (11/27/2015) and Jon Courson’s Application Commentary OT (2006)
Such a perfect example of God’s love…
I love the story!
I like this! Good job and great message, Erma! Thank you for reminding us that Jesus moved the fence with His sacrifice.