WESTIE was just a pup when the war started. He was a pure bred Newfoundland, and like all other healthy dogs he ran and jumped, he barked, and ate and grew. Like others too of his breed he became a strong, brave and faithful dog, and was trained to help the soldiers in the war.
Westie was sent along with a regiment to Hong Kong. Wherever the soldiers went, Westie went with them. He loved the men, he worked with them, sometimes he pulled a cart like a horse; he ate and slept with the troops, and was always on the alert.
The men had dug a trench in which they hid for protection from the enemy who were always firing at them. One day an enemy soldier threw a hand grenade, or a small bomb, into the trench. The situation was serious. Suddenly faithful Westie, knowing that the hand grenade would explode and kill many of the men, snapped up the bomb in his mouth, and bounded over the mound in front of the trench. Seconds later the bomb exploded, blowing the faithful dog to pieces.
How sad the men were to lose their good faithful friend in that way, but in sacrificing his life he had saved twenty men.
Westie had proved his love for those men by dying for them, but God’s love goes far beyond that. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).
Westie died to save his friends, but the Lord Jesus died for “the ungodly,” for those who hated Him and nailed Him to the cross. On that cross, in the midst of His sufferings He prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:3434Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:34). We deserved death and judgment, just as much as those men who crucified Jesus, for “all have sinned,” but He was punished for our sins; for “Christ... hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” 1 Peter 3:1818For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18). Surely each of us ought to trust in Him, to love and serve Him who has proved His love for us.
ML-03/07/1976