When Figo was a puppy, he was selected by his master to receive training as a seeing eye dog. These service dogs need to be calm and teachable, and Figo had both qualities. He is a golden retriever, which is one of the breeds that is commonly selected to learn this important job.
When Figo finished seeing-eye-dog training, he was sent to an elderly lady in Brewster, Connecticut, by the name of Audrey Stone. Audrey was blind and depended on Figo to help her get around the house and neighborhood. Holding onto Figo’s harness, Audrey was unafraid to walk down the sidewalk and into town where she could purchase groceries and visit friends. It didn’t take long for Figo and Audrey to learn that they could depend on each other. Over the years, the bond of their friendship grew very strong.
One afternoon, the pair was walking down a tree-lined sidewalk through town. Figo stopped at an intersection and waited until it was safe to cross the street, just as he was trained. Figo and Audrey were halfway across the street when a minibus unexpectedly turned in their direction. The driver, for some reason, was not paying attention to the street in front of him. He never saw the blind lady and her seeing eye dog in the crosswalk!
But Figo saw the minibus! The dog only had a second to act. He didn’t hesitate but quickly swung around and leaped in front of the minibus, throwing his body against it, to shield Audrey from harm. A piece of steel from the minibus cut a deep gash into the bone of the dog’s leg, and a wheel tore off a patch of his fur. The impact tossed the dog to the side of the street where he barely missed being run over by the minibus tires. The driver heard the crash of Figo’s body against the bus and slammed on his brakes! But he was too late, and the minibus rammed into Audrey, knocking her down hard onto the pavement.
The impact broke Audrey’s ankle and some ribs and injured her neck. Although she was in terrible pain, her only thought was for her dog. People who saw the accident heard her cry out as she lay crumpled up on the ground, “Figo ... Figo ... where is Figo?”
In the confusion, she could only guess how badly hurt her beloved dog was. Figo, for his part, had only one thing on his mind, and that was finding his way back to Audrey. His injured leg made it impossible to walk or crawl. A nearby gas station owner, who saw the dog’s struggle, later said that Figo was trying to “flop” back to Audrey by rising on three legs and falling back to the ground, each time getting a little bit closer.
This touching story, so full of faithfulness, love and loyalty, reminds me of another far greater story. It is the story of God’s love in sending His only beloved Son into this world. When we didn’t see any danger ahead of us, God saw it clearly. He knew that those who die in their sins would spend eternity apart from Him in a place called hell. He loved us way too much to let this happen and not do something about it. He knew there was only one answer, and He made those plans with His Son.
A bystander knew to call 911 for the needed help for Audrey. An ambulance rushed to the scene. The paramedics had to tell Audrey several times that her seeing eye dog was being cared for before she would agree to being lifted into the ambulance.
A kind fireman who had raced to the accident to help, wrapped up Figo’s leg in a splint and bandages and then lifted the large dog onto the front seat of his rescue truck. The fireman drove him to a veterinarian’s office to receive the medical care the dog desperately needed. Both Audrey and Figo will need several months to recover from their injuries before their lives hopefully return to normal.
To make it possible for us to be saved from our sins, God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die in the sinner’s place. When the Lord Jesus gave His life at Calvary, He made a way for those who would afterwards believe. They would be shielded from the punishment their sins deserve. On the cross, Jesus willingly took on Himself the punishment for all believing sinners, so that they might go free. Isaiah 53:55But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5) reads: “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” Seeing how the Lord Jesus stepped between believing sinners and certain punishment for their sins, how can you not find it in your heart to accept Him as your Saviour too?
Audrey and Figo have a strong bond of love between them. Those who come to trust in the Lord Jesus will also come to love Him, the one who loved you and me so much that He voluntarily died for us. If you will become a believer in the Lord Jesus and His finished work on the cross, there is nothing that can ever separate you from His love. The love between the Lord Jesus and those who believe on Him is a bond that will last for eternity. It is the greatest love that boys and girls, and grown-ups too, can ever know.
Figo’s deep devotion and love for Audrey made him hurl himself into the path of danger to save his master. And the Lord Jesus’ deep love for sinners made Him willing to give His life on the cross to save sinners. Will you believe on Him so that you might be saved from your sins and come to know His deep love for you?
ML-10/11/2015