The cougar probably wandered down from the mountain range looking for food because it was hungry. It must have been young and inexperienced to have come so near the town of Gold River, British Columbia. Had it been older, it might have known better and never put itself into danger by coming close to where people live. The large, powerful cat prowled through backyards, staying well hidden by trees and bushes.
The Forbes family was busy at midday. Little did anyone guess that a dangerous animal had invaded their backyard and was lurking nearby. Dad and Mom were working together in a shop behind the garage. Five-year-old Tucker and six-year old Bryce were busy playing with their trucks in the backyard.
Bryce decided to go into the house for a snack. He was no more than three steps away from the back door when he spotted the cougar. It was crouching in front of their garage as if ready to attack. Bryce saw the long claws on the cat raking through the gravel on the driveway. The cat looked huge and mean!
Bryce's first thought was to run those few steps to the back door and get into the house as fast as he could. Then he remembered his brother. He knew his brother did not know a cougar was in the yard. If he left his brother alone, the cougar might pounce on him. If he called out to him to run, Tucker might run the wrong way and run right into the cougar.
Tucker was only a year younger than Bryce but a whole lot smaller. A year makes a big difference in size when you are only five. Bryce knew Tucker would be helpless against the cougar. He loved his brother and couldn't leave him in danger. He must save his brother... even if it meant the cougar got him instead.
Bryce ran the forty feet to Tucker. They were the bravest forty feet he ever ran! He was so scared, expecting the cougar to attack him at every moment. He made it to his brother, and then, without telling Tucker why, he grabbed his hand and, yanked him to his feet. Together they ran into the shop behind the garage.
"Daddy!" Bryce blurted out panting. "A cougar is trying to get us!" At first, Dad didn't believe him. But one look at Bryce's face convinced him to go take a look anyway. He didn't think a cougar could jump the tall fence around their yard. He was surprised to see the long body of the big cat bounding away.
Dad called the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and a team of men and dogs was sent out. They trailed the cat until they found it. The RCMP didn't have any choice but to kill it, because the big cat was a real danger to the townspeople.
Bryce was willing to save his brother even if it meant he would be attacked instead. Nearly two thousand years ago, Christ Jesus willingly stepped into the path of pain and suffering so that sinners could be saved from the penalty for their sins. He left the glories of heaven to come to earth to become a Savior and went all the way to the cross to save sinners. Do you know why He took that journey of pain and suffering? It was because He loves you and me so very much. He knew we were headed for danger, death and judgment, so He came and died for sinners. "The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)). The judgment that should have fallen on guilty sinners fell on Him instead. Now because of His death and shed blood, all those who believe on Him receive the gift of forgiveness and eternal life. The priceless gift of eternal life is offered to you-to everyone-and it's free! God invites each one of us to receive it by accepting His Son Jesus as Savior. How great is God's love and faithfulness that He sent His Son into this world to die for you and me!
Several weeks after Bryce rescued his brother, a government official from the province made a special trip to Gold River to present Bryce Forbes with an award for bravery. The official came to Bryce's school and presented him with the award in front of all his schoolmates who gave him a round of applause.
Bryce was worthy of that honor for what he had done. He was very brave in saving his brother. The Lord Jesus is worthy of all honor for what He has done too. Will you choose to honor Him by accepting His offer and trusting Him as your Savior? "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Tim. 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)).