Best known for his JFK and Churchill biographies, William Manchester was also a WWII Marine injured in Okinawa. His “million-dollar” wound kept him hospitalized, but not too far from the frontline. With his wounds, he slipped out of his sickbed and made his way to Sugar Loaf Hill, his friends, and an almost certain death.
It took Manchester half a lifetime to understand why he did what he did. In his book, Goodbye Darkness, he reveals a powerful truth: he was acting in love for fellow soldiers who, like family, were closer to him than anyone before or since. He could not let his battle buddies down. They had saved him. He had to try to save them.
This love, which is beyond words or measure, mirrors Jesus’ love which is recorded in words and remains beyond measure.
In 1 John 3, our March 25th text, we read, “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us (v. 16).” As our week begins, consider how Jesus, on the frontline for our eternal salvation, never gives up on us.