But on Sunday, coming home from church, you hear another radio spot. They say it is not 3 villagers, but 30,000 villagers in this small village in India. It's on TV that night - CNN runs a short blurb on it. People from the Disease Center in Atlanta, GA are heading there, because this disease strain has never been seen before.
By Monday morning, it is the lead story! It's not just in India - it's in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. Before you know it, you are hearing about it everywhere. It's being called the "Mystery Flu."
The President has made a comment that he and everyone are praying that all will go well over there. Everyone is wondering, "How are we going to contain this thing?" Then the President of France makes an announcement that shocks Europe and the world. He is closing their borders - no more flights from the places where this mystery flu has been seen.
That's why that night you are watching a little of CNN before going to bed. Your jaw hits your chest, when a French newsprogram is translated into english. "There's a man lying in a hospital in Paris, and he is dying of the mystery flu. It has come to Europe and the best they can tell, once you get it, you have it for about a week without knowing it. Then you have four days of unbelieveable symptoms - then you die! Panic strikes. Britain closes it's borders, but it's too late. It has hit in London, South Hampton, Liverpool, North Hampton ...
It's Tuesday morning, when the President of the United States makes an announcement, "Due to a national security risk, all flights from Europe and Asia have been cancelled. If you have loved ones overseas, they will not be able to come back until we find a cure for this." People are selling little masks for your face, they are talking about what if it comes to this country, and preachers are saying, "It's the scourge of God."
It's Wednesday night and you are at your church Prayer Meeting, when someone comes running in from the parking lot saying, "Turn on a radio! Turn on a radio!" While the congregation listens to a little transistor radio stuck up to a microphone, the announcement is made:
"Two women are lying in a Long Island hospital, dying from the mystery flu."
Within hours this thing sweeps across the country. People are working around the clock trying to find an anidote. Nothing is working!
~ California ~ Oregon ~ Arizona ~ Florida ~ Massachusettes ~
It's as though it is just sweeping in from the borders.
Suddenly, the news comes out - the code has been broken - a cure can be found - a vaccine can be made!!! It's going to take the blood of somebody who has not been infected. All the emergency channels are broadcasting the news, everyone is asked to do one simple thing, "Go to your local hospital and have your blood type taken. That's all we ask of you. When you hear the sirens go off in your neighborhoods, make your way quickly, quietly and safely to the hospitals."
When you and your family get down there, late on Friday night, there is a long line. There are nurses and doctors coming out, pricking people's fingers, taking blood and putting labels on it. You, your wife and your kids are there. They take your blood and tell you, "Wait here, if we call your name, you can be dismissed and go home." You stand around with your neighbors, you are scared, and wondering what on earth is going on - is this the end of the world?
Suddenly, a young man comes running out of the hospital, waving a clipboard and screaming. He's yelling a name. What? He yells it again. Your son tugs on your jacket and says,
"Daddy, that's me!"
Before you even realize what is happening, they have grabbed your boy.
"Wait a minute - hold on!," you say.
"It's okay, his blood is clean, it's pure. We want to make sure he doesn't
have the disease. We think he has the right blood type. We want to make
sure he doesn't have the disease."
They carry your boy inside, while you and your wife wait.
Five tense minutes later, out come the doctors and nurses. They are crying and hugging each other. Some are even laughing. It's the first time you have seen anyone laugh in a week. An old doctor comes up to you and says,
"Thank you, sir. Your son's blood type is perfect, it is clean and pure.
We can make the vaccine."
As the word begins to spread across that crowded parking lot, people are laughing, crying, screaming, praying. Then that old gray haired doctor pulls you and your wife aside,
"May we see you for a moment? We didn't realize the donor would be a
minor. We need you to sign a consent form."
You begin to sign, but then you notice the empty bottles,
"H-h-h-how many pints?"
The old doctor's smile fades as he says,
"We had no idea it would be a child. We weren't prepared. We need
all of your son's blood - ALL OF IT!"
"But, but ... "
"You don't understand, we are talking about the world here.
Please sign. We - we need it all - we need it all!"
"But, can't you give him a transfusion?" you ask.
"If we had clean blood we would. Can you sign? Would you sign?"
In numb silence you do.
Then they ask us,
"Would you like to have a few minutes with him before we begin?"
Can you walk? Can you walk back to that room where he sits on a table saying,
"Mommy? Daddy? What's going on?
"Son, your mommy and I love you and would never let anything happen to
you that didn't just have to be. Do you understand that?"
The old doctor comes back in and says,
"I'm sorry, we've - we've got to get started. People all over the world are dying."
Can you leave? Can you walk out while he is saying,
"Dad? Mom? Why have you forsaken me?"
The next week is the funeral - a ceremony to honor your son. Some people sleep through it, some don't even come because they'd rather go to the lake. Some people come and pretend they care. Don't you just want to jump up and say:
"MY SON DIED!!! DON'T YOU CARE?"
Is that what God wants us to hear?
"MY SON DIED,
DON'T YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I CARE?"
Father,
Seeing it THROUGH YOUR EYES breaks our hearts! May we now begin to comprehend the great love you have for us. May we repent of our sins, that the
blood of Your Son, JESUS CHRIST, will wash us, and heal us from all sin.
AMEN
Mark 10:45
"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto,
but to minister, and to give His life a ranson for many."
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