Precious Gift

Obed was born just a week ago. He doesn’t know it yet, but he was born to bring so much happiness to a couple who could not have any children of their own. Not only happiness to that couple but to the rest of my family and to myself. The couple I am referring to is my youngest sister and her husband. She always wanted to have children of her own, but it was not possible. She always asked to babysit other children and the neighbors around her house gladly brought them to her. One of those children that she was babysitting, since he was born, was Anthony. Since Anthony lived next door to my sister’s house, it was easy for Anthony’s mom to bring him to my sister.

Anthony’s mom and dad had already two other children and were busy working. Anthony pretty much grew up next door being loved by my sister and her husband. Anthony’s mom and dad are not Christians, but they allowed my sister to take Anthony to church and to all events at church. Anthony has been traveling to all the Mayan villages in the Yucatan with my sister and her husband when they go preach. Anthony, who is five years old now has his own Bible, he knows how to pray, he knows church songs and Bible stories. Anthony was also being taught how to be respectful and polite toward other people. Every time I go to Mexico Anthony calls me “tio” uncle in Spanish. Even though we are not blood related there is so much love toward each other that words cannot describe. Anthony’s parents have been watching for a long time how Anthony is treated and loved by my sister and her husband.

Anthony’s parents made a decision and announced to my sister the following: “If we get pregnant again, we will give you the child for you to adopt. We know you will love this child and you will teach him about God in the same manner that you have taught Anthony”. My sister called me right away to give me the great news as soon as she heard it.

It has been about fifteen months since the promise was made to my sister and her husband. A week ago, Obed was born, a healthy boy that weighed almost eight pounds. The paperwork is being done so Obed can be adopted by my sister and her husband. I am amazed at the decision of this couple to give their own child to another couple. I know they love my sister and her husband. I know they wanted to do something for them and bring happiness in their lives. I am amazed at their love, and I appreciate it so much.

This event in the life of my sister and her husband brought to my mind the love of God toward us. The Bible tells us to what degree God loves us that “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” (John 3:16). God not only gave His son but gave His son to be a sacrifice for us on the cross. His son was going to be born to die a horrible death for us. This kind of love surpasses all kinds of love.

The sacrifice of Jesus is the means by which God delivers or saves humanity from sin and death. There was bloodshed from Jesus as a ransom price. This was something wonderful, God loved the world so much that he gave His only begotten son as a sacrifice so that all humanity could be saved. Imagine nothing more than there is a kidnapping in your family, and instead of money they ask you to give your only child as a sacrifice so that your grandmother, cousin, mother, sister can be released, would you, do it? I’m more sure than not, because God did it out of love for you.

John 3:16 teaches us that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, will be saved. Jesus commanded in the great commission to go preach the gospel of salvation and to baptized for the remission of sins. This verse gives us the glorious hope of eternal life in heaven through the love of God and the death of Jesus Christ