Geraldine McBride was a school crossing guard. Her own children being grown, she "mothered" all the children who passed. As her son said, "Every kid who came across that street was hers!" She buttoned their coats and tied their shoelaces and saw them safely across the street.
One day as she was at her post she stopped a car to let two little boys cross the street. Suddenly a pickup truck swerved around the car and veered toward the children.
Mrs. McBride reacted instantly, pushing the boys out of the way. One six year old was just grazed by the truck, but it struck and ran over the guard. She was killed instantly, but "her children" were saved.
"I saw her body tonight as they laid her out," said her son, "and the look on her face was one of satisfaction."
Satisfied—the children were saved.
Satisfied—though the cost was her own life.
Satisfied! "Jesus... who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Heb. 12:22Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2). What is the joy? Well, one part of it is the "joy... in heaven over one sinner that repenteth."
For that joy the Lord Jesus went to the cross and laid down His life, a willing sacrifice, for your sake and mine. Shall that sacrifice be in vain? Can we refuse to accept what He has done for us?
Yes, we can refuse Him that joy and that satisfaction, but there is no "salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:1212Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12).
We can refuse—and there will be no joy in heaven for us.
We can refuse—and go to a place of "weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Or we can accept the Lord Jesus and spend an eternity of joy with Him in heaven.
Which is it to be?