Our youngest daughter was devoted to her chickens. She had raised them from three days old, including feeding them, cleaning out their coop, giving them treats, playing with them, etc. She adored those chickens. Her heart was completely tied up in their well-being, and she would do anything for them.

Similarly, my heart was completely tied up in her and my family’s well-being, and I would do anything for them.

So, one spring day when I heard her running down the hall screaming, “Lynx!” I knew exactly what was happening. I bolted to the garage and out the side door into the chicken yard. Melting snow still covered most of the ground, but my bare feet didn’t notice. Running at full tilt, I saw the lynx with a chicken in its mouth.

I lost my mind. I didn’t see the lynx attacking the chicken. I saw the lynx attacking my daughter. I continued running toward it, waving my arms and screaming like a mad woman. I got within three feet of the lynx when it realized I was not slowing down and was about to pounce on it.

Thank the good Lord, He protected me despite my reckless decision. The lynx dropped the chicken, ran, and jumped over our six-foot fence like it was nothing. When it realized I was still coming after it, the lynx ran away.

I picked up the chicken and watched it die in my arms. I was a wreck. My tears flowed like the Kenai River, deep and fast. Our daughter had witnessed the whole scene and stood behind me crying as well. I put the chicken down and grabbed my daughter. We held on to each other crying and trembling from shock. To say it was a traumatic experience would be an understatement.

I did not save the chicken that day. But I did show my daughter that I would do anything for her, including putting my life in danger. She would be the first to tell you she would rather have me around than the chicken, but she did see how much I loved her.

Friends, Jesus does the same for us. He loves you and me so much that He decided to die on the cross to save us from our sins. He chose to die, knowing the agony He would suffer, so we could have a relationship and be with Him forever in heaven. His decision was not a split-second, rash one, but a predetermined, intentional one. John 3:16 (NIV) says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” We usually stop right there, but verse 17 goes on to say, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” People often think God only wants to judge and punish humanity, but He came to save you and me. Because He loved us so much, He decided to suffer and die. There is no greater love than that.

I tried to save my daughter from the pain of losing her chicken, but Jesus wants to save us from the pain of sin and death. If you have questions or would like to talk about His sacrifice for you, please contact me. I would be honored to help.